(Muan=Yonhap News) Reporter Hyeong Min-woo = Jeonnam Province announced on the 12th that the volume of rice exports over the past five years has tripled, enhancing its competitiveness in the global market. Jeonnam's rice exports, including overseas aid, were 51,100 tons in 2021 and 2022, but increased to 111,100 tons in 2024, and reached 149,100 tons by the end of October this year. The export value also increased from 46,310 million dollars in 2024 to 54,760 million dollars as of October this year. Last year, Jeonnam's rice exports accounted for 81.1% of the national total of 137,100 tons, ranking first. Currently, it is exported to more than 31 countries, with noticeable growth centered in Europe and Central Asia. To overcome the crisis of plummeting rice prices, Jeonnam Province has provided materials such as packaging and pallets to the Rice Processing and Packaging Center (RPC) and focused on local promotions through permanent overseas Jeonnam sales offices. In collaboration with cities, counties, and agricultural cooperatives, Jeonnam Province has expanded its consumer base by opening new markets in Mongolia, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other countries. Jeonnam Province is also implementing competitiveness enhancement projects to expand rice exports, including the Jeonnam Rice Export Safety Improvement Project worth 150 million won, direct payment for specialized agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports worth 37.5 billion won, and support for inland transport costs of export equipment and containers worth 3 billion won. Shin Hyun-gon, International Cooperation Officer of Jeonnam Province, said, "Europe has very strict quality standards, but Jeonnam rice is sufficiently recognized for its taste, quality, and safety," and "We will expand exports to various countries and firmly establish the perception that 'K-Rice is Jeonnam rice' in the global market."