 |
| (From left) Francesca Gioacchini; Amy Miller; and Linda Grimo. |
The 2026 Korea Chestnut Industry Expo, held in early February in Gongju City, South Korea, has emerged as a pivotal milestone for the global chestnut sector, fostering invaluable exchanges between international experts and local stakeholders. The event served both to showcase the excellence of Korean chestnuts and to confirm the industry’s potential as a sustainable, high-value agricultural sector.
The expo featured a distinguished lineup of international authorities. Francesca Gioacchini of Italy presented on “Italian Chestnut Excellence,” while Sashichi Sakurai, Chairman of the Obuse Chestnut Association in Japan, discussed branding and competition strategies among specialized producers. As the eighth-generation descendant of the 200-year-old chestnut enterprise Sakurai Kanseido, Sakurai highlighted how seven companies in Nagano Prefecture’s Obuse-machi have successfully developed a “Chestnut Confectionery” sector through a careful balance of coexistence and healthy competition.
North American experts focused on resilience and long-term survival in the industry. Linda Grimo, a veteran nursery specialist from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, recounted the near decimation of the American chestnut by blight in the early 1900s in her talk, “Progress Through Perseverance.” Grimo emphasized the international recognition of Korean chestnut varieties for their resilience, particularly against pests such as the Asian gall wasp. Similarly, Amy Miller, COO of Route 9 Cooperative in the United States, outlined ongoing restoration efforts through hybrid breeding and community-driven projects.
.jpg)
During the 3rd International Chestnut Industry Future Development Forum, experts from Korea, Canada, the USA, Italy, and Japan examined not only technical cultivation but also the crop’s cultural value. International visitors were struck by chestnuts’ deep integration into Korean daily life—from traditional stews served in-flight to modern pizza toppings, and their essential role in ancestral rites (Jesa).
.jpg) |
| (From left) Won-cheol Choi, Mayor of Gongju City; Amy Miller; Francesca Gioacchini; and Linda Grimo. |
The chestnut has come to symbolize Korea’s culinary identity and filial culture. Grimo praised the “warm and kind energy” of Gongju, reinforcing the notion that chestnuts are a “real-world crop”, critical not only for food security but also for wildlife and high-quality timber.
The expo also drew lessons from Europe. Italy’s Castanea Expo in Florence has become a leading supply chain fair, integrating genetic research with “green tourism.” Italy currently recognizes 15 DOP or IGP chestnut products, linking geographic heritage to increased market value.
Looking ahead to the 2028 International Chestnut Industry Expo, officials confirmed that Korea aims to set definitive international standards for the chestnut sector. The plan includes integrating Smart Forestry practices with the development of large-fruited, pest-resistant varieties to establish a stable production base and promote global innovation and knowledge exchange.
The 2028 expo is scheduled for 23 days, from January 22 to February 13, co-hosted by Gongju City, Buyeo County, and Cheongyang County, Korea’s primary chestnut-producing regions and UNESCO World Heritage cities.
The expo also drew lessons from Europe. Italy’s Castanea Expo in Florence has become a leading supply chain fair, integrating genetic research with “green tourism.” Italy currently recognizes 15 DOP or IGP chestnut products, linking geographic heritage to increased market value.
Looking ahead to the 2028 International Chestnut Industry Expo, officials confirmed that Korea aims to set definitive international standards for the chestnut sector. The plan includes integrating Smart Forestry practices with the development of large-fruited, pest-resistant varieties to establish a stable production base and promote global innovation and knowledge exchange.
The 2028 expo is scheduled for 23 days, from January 22 to February 13, co-hosted by Gongju City, Buyeo County, and Cheongyang County, Korea’s primary chestnut-producing regions and UNESCO World Heritage cities.