Rice used in traditional liquor production rises 22-fold in 4 years as minister pushes K-food

A traditional liquor producer in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, is on track to use more than 22 times as much locally grown rice this year as it did in 2022 — rising from 4.5 metric tons to a projected 100 metric tons. Over the same period, sales are expected to climb from 500 million won ($372,000) to 2.2 billion won, and the number of local residents employed is set to grow from two to 17. The government plans to develop traditional liquor made with local agricultural produce into an industry bridging rural entrepreneurship and K-food.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Minister Song Mi-ryeong visited the fermentation research center of Hanyeongseok, an agricultural corporation in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, on Wednesday to inspect rural startup and agri-convergence industry operations.

Hanyeongseok produces traditional liquor using rice grown in North Jeolla Province. Its use of locally sourced agricultural produce rose from 4.5 metric tons in 2022 to 33 metric tons last year, and the company plans to use 100 metric tons this year.

Sales also increased, from 500 million won in 2022 to 1.75 billion won last year, with a target of 2.2 billion won this year. Local employment grew from two people to 8.5 over the same period and is set to reach 17 this year.

The visit was arranged to promote consumption of traditional liquor and gift sets made with domestic agricultural produce ahead of chuseok. Song listened to the company's experience in rural entrepreneurship and agri-convergence operations and toured the fermentation research center.

"We will actively support incubation, investment and market access so that young people and businesses can find new startup opportunities in rural areas," Song said. "We particularly plan to develop traditional liquor into a flagship K-food industry where regional agriculture and culture come alive."