[Provided by Sangju City]
[Provided by Sangju City]

The Gyeongcheon-dae Grape Growers Association in Sabeolguk-myeon, Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, has begun its first Campbell Early grape shipment of the year.

According to Sangju City on Thursday, the association has 50 members cultivating Campbell Early, Kyoho and Shine Muscat grapes across 27.5 hectares.

The Campbell Early grapes will be distributed through the Sabeol Agricultural Cooperative (head An Chang-hyeon) produce distribution center to major wholesale markets, including Garak Market's Jungang Cheongwa, the Seoul Garak Agricultural Cooperative auction house and Guri Cheongwa.

Campbell Early grapes grown in Sabeolguk reach the market about 15 days earlier than those from the Junghwa area of Sangju, giving growers a competitive edge by entering before peak supply season and capturing early niche demand.

Building on that early-shipment advantage and strong product quality, Sangju Gyeongcheon-dae grapes have carved out a significant position in the Campbell Early market, raising their profile alongside Hwaseong Songsan grapes and Daebudo grapes.

The early timing is also favorable for securing higher prices at the start of the season and locking in stable sales channels, contributing significantly to income growth for local farming households.

Kwon Hyeok-ju, head of the Gyeongcheon-dae Grape Growers Association, said the association would work to deliver the best grapes to consumers through rigorous quality management, despite difficult growing conditions caused by the recent prolonged heat wave.

Park Jong-uk, head of Sabeolguk-myeon, called the area's Campbell Early grapes "a representative local agricultural product with strong market competitiveness through early shipment," and pledged continued support for stable production and income growth for farming households as the region actively responds to climate change.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com