Sea breeze onions have been harvested since the end of May. (image: Buan County Office)
BUAN, Jun. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Buan County’s unique ‘sea breeze’ onions are selling well despite a 15 percent drop in the national onion output so far this year compared to the same period last year, due to the recent drought and high temperatures, the county office said on June 17.
Buan’s onions are purchased on the market as ‘sea breeze onions,’ as they grow by the sea. They are highly resistant to harmful insects, and last long in a well-preserved state once they are harvested.
They are especially popular due to their spicy yet sweet taste.
Sea breeze onions have been harvested since the end of May, and it is expected that farmers will earn 9.8 billion won (US$ 8.8 million) in profits from expected production of 19,320 tons of onions.
About 780 farms in this region are growing onions on 322 hectares of land.
A Buan County representative said that sea breeze onions have become the darling of farmers in the region, and that officials are currently standardizing all of the processes included in the farming, distribution and sale of the onions to increase their popularity among Koreans.
By J. W. Choi (summerchoi@koreabizwire.com)
