Ulju-gun in Ulsan holds a send-off ceremony Tuesday at the Yulli branch of the Ulsan Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative in Cheongnyyang-eup to mark the first US export of 2026 Ulju pears. Ulju-gun chief Lee Sun-geol, Ulju County Council Speaker Jeong Woo-sik, city and county lawmakers, and representatives of pear-farming households attended. [Ulju-gun]
Ulju-gun in Ulsan holds a send-off ceremony Tuesday at the Yulli branch of the Ulsan Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative in Cheongnyyang-eup to mark the first US export of 2026 Ulju pears. Ulju-gun chief Lee Sun-geol, Ulju County Council Speaker Jeong Woo-sik, city and county lawmakers, and representatives of pear-farming households attended. [Ulju-gun]

Ulju pears, a specialty product of Ulju-gun in Ulsan, began their first US export run of the year on Tuesday. The variety heading overseas is the early-ripening Wonhwang cultivar.

The shipment started with a single 40-foot container carrying 13.6 tons worth 70 million won ($49,500), with a further 272 tons valued at 1.4 billion won bound for the United States by year's end. When pears grown in orchards in Ulsan's Jung-gu are included, total US export volume reaches about 400 tons.

Shin Dong-ho, head of the Yulli branch of the Ulsan Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative, said Ulju pears enjoy strong demand in the US market not only among Korean expatriates but also among local consumers, thanks to their high sugar content, abundant juice and cool, refreshing flavor.

Ulju-gun said it plans to support overseas promotional events organized by export producer groups as it works to open new markets beyond the United States.

"We will support relevant agencies and producer groups so that Ulju pears can break into not just the US market but more overseas markets as well," Ulju-gun chief Lee Sun-geol said.


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