Yangyang Songi's first trial is imminent, attention is paid to the all-time high price breaking

(Yangyang = Yonhap News) Reporter Ryu Ho-jun = The first trial of the year for ‘Yangyang pine’, the first forest product registered under the geographical indication system, is imminent.

The county announced on the 16th that the Yangyang Songi Farming Association Corporation and the Yangyang Sokcho Forestry Association will purchase pine pine at the Yangyang Sokcho Forestry Association's underground public market starting at 9 a.m. on the 17th, and the first bidding will be held from 4:30 p.m.

Yangyang bunches are characterized by low moisture content, firm flesh, and deep and rich aroma.

In 2006, it was registered as the first geographical indication forest product by the Korea Forest Service, maintaining its quality and reputation differentiated from pine mushrooms produced in other regions.

At the public fair, bunches shipped on the same day are sorted into five grades from first to fourth, and non-standard according to size, shape, and quality, and then supplied to the bidder who offers the highest price through open competitive bidding.

Other forest products for which demand is increasing, such as seaweed and rubber mushrooms, will also be put up for bidding.

Last year, the first trial was held on September 27, and 30.17 kg of Songi was purchased.

In particular, on October 3 last year, the public price per kg of Yangyang Songi Grade 1 was set at 1,611,200 won, recording the highest price ever.

The previous highest price was 1.6 million won, recorded on September 30, 2024.

Yangyang bunches, which are popular as Chuseok gifts, usually record high prices ahead of Chuseok.

Accordingly, as purchases begin about a week before the Chuseok holiday, attention is focused on whether the highest price will be broken again this year.

This year's Yangyang Songi Festival will be held from the 16th to the 18th of next month at the Namdaecheon berm and multi-purpose plaza in Yangyang.

A military official said, “Yangyang pine is a representative forest product of Korea that grows in a clean natural environment and has excellent flavor and meat quality,” and added, “We will make thorough preparations so that both producers and consumers can trust it through fair and transparent trials.”