Direct sales of local produce gain popularity in rural S. Korean cities

A growing number of farmers in rural South Korea are choosing to sell their produce directly at supermarkets rather than working with distributors.
It's an approach that's benefitting both the farmers and their customers... and it's being encouraged by local governments.
Cho Sung-min has this report.
These farmers in the city of Nonsan, Chungcheongbuk-do Province are picking some cabbages they plan to sell in the afternoon.
They bring their produce to stations in local supermarkets where customers can buy it directly.
The best part about this system is that it eliminates many steps that would be needed if a distributor were involved.
That means it takes less time and money overall to get the goods from the farm to the store.
As a result, consumers get the freshest vegetables and fruits every day... and the farmers make more money.


"I've been making a lot more money since I started selling my products here directly."

According to experts in the region,... this particular way of buying and selling produce has gotten positive feedback from both farmers and their customers.
Each of these mini produce markets sells more than ten-thousand dollars worth of fresh fruit and vegetables every day... for a jump of nearly twenty percent from last year's figure.
With a substantial rise in overall profit... there's been a drastic increase in the number of farmers selling here.


"It is good to know that farmers are earning more this way. I also like the fact that I can get a lot of good quality vegetables."

A Nonsan city official said the city has clearly seen a win-win result from the mini markets... and said they will continue to expand the project by working with other cities nearby.
Cho Sung-min, arirang news.