Hadong County Expands Agricultural Exports with Market Agreements in Atlanta
Hadong County (Mayor Ha Sung-cheol) has taken a significant step toward expanding the export of its regional agricultural products to the southeastern United States, focusing on the city of Atlanta.
On March 9, a delegation from Hadong County, led by Mayor Ha Sung-cheol, signed agreements with major distribution companies in Atlanta and conducted extensive promotional and marketing activities to introduce Hadong’s agricultural specialties to the U.S. market.
◇ Agreements with Zion Market and Wooltari Mall to Expand Agricultural Sales
The Hadong delegation met with Steve Hong, CEO of Zion Market in Duluth, Atlanta, and signed an export agreement to enhance the distribution of Hadong’s agricultural products within the U.S. Following this, they officially opened a dedicated Hadong agricultural product section at Wooltari Mall (CEO Park In-soon) in Suwanee, launching a full-scale expansion of local sales.
Hadong’s signature green tea and strawberries drew significant attention from local consumers. The delegation hosted a green tea tasting event, showcasing the excellence of Hadong’s traditional tea, renowned as Korea’s first tea-growing region. Additionally, Hadong strawberries were highly praised for their freshness and outstanding quality.
On the day of the event, Wooltari Mall was bustling with customers eager to explore Hadong’s agricultural offerings. Mayor Ha personally engaged with visitors, distributing complimentary Hadong strawberries to promote the region’s high-quality produce.
◇ Strengthening Cooperation with Korean Chamber of Commerce and Duluth City Government
To further strengthen its network in Atlanta, Hadong County planned to sign an export cooperation agreement with the Georgia Korean Chamber of Commerce on March 10.
Mayor Ha Sung-cheol also met with Greg Whitlock, the Mayor of Duluth, and local city council members to discuss the feasibility of distributing Hadong’s agricultural products in the region. Discussions also included potential educational and economic cooperation programs, including student exchange initiatives between Duluth and Hadong.
◇ Participation in WKBC 2025 to Expand U.S. Market Reach
Hadong County’s visit to Atlanta is seen as a strategic move to expand its agricultural footprint in the U.S. market and establish a global distribution network. The Hadong delegation consisted of key county officials, agricultural cooperative leaders, and green tea industry representatives.
Following their visit, Hadong County plans to operate a promotional booth at the 23rd World Korean Business Convention (WKBC 2025) in Atlanta from April 17 to 20. This initiative aims to enhance the recognition of Hadong’s agricultural specialties and accelerate entry into the U.S. premium market.
◇ Intensive Export Drive Spanning Mexico, Atlanta, and New York
Before arriving in Atlanta, the Hadong delegation visited Mexico City from March 3 to 6 to promote Hadong green tea and inaugurated the first ‘Hadong Tea Room’ in Latin America.
As part of its global strategy, Hadong County held consumer promotional events, digital marketing campaigns with influential social media figures, and tasting events at local universities and cafes to raise awareness of Hadong green tea’s superior quality.
Mayor Ha also engaged in discussions with AeroMexico regarding in-flight meal supply agreements and pursued export negotiations with major Mexican distributors, including ‘La Comer’ and specialty coffee roaster ‘Buna.’
Following the Atlanta visit, the delegation will continue its tour in New York from March 11 to 15 to enhance the brand value of Hadong’s tea culture in the U.S. premium market.
In New York, Hadong County will finalize agreements to establish a ‘Hadong Tea Cultural Center’ and hold a promotional event at the Korean Cultural Center titled ‘Harmony of Hadong Green Tea + Fine Dining,’ showcasing high-end tea culture to local audiences.
Additionally, partnerships with H-Mart and the New York Korean Food Association will be pursued to expand distribution channels, and research on successful compact city models in the U.S. will be conducted to support Hadong’s urban development strategy.
Mayor Ha Sung-cheol stated, “Through this visit to Atlanta, we aim to promote Hadong’s green tea and agricultural specialties more widely in the U.S. market and achieve tangible export growth. We will continue to expand our global distribution network and enhance the brand value of Hadong’s premium agricultural products.”
