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| (From left) Francesca Gioacchini; Amy Miller; and Linda Grimo. |
The 2026 Korea Chestnut Industry Expo, held in early February in Gongju City, S. Korea, has emerged as a pivotal milestone for the global chestnut industry, fostering an invaluable exchange between international experts and local stakeholders. The event served as a platform to highlight the excellence of Korean chestnuts while confirming the potential of the industry as a sustainable future sector.
The expo featured a distinguished lineup of international authorities who shared profound insights. Francesca Gioacchini of Italy presented on "Italian Chestnut Excellence," while Sashichi Sakurai, Chairman of the Obuse Chestnut Association in Japan, shared strategies regarding branding and competition among specialized producers.
As the 8th-generation descendant of the 200-year-old chestnut enterprise "Sakurai Kanseido," Mr. Sakurai discussed how seven companies in Nagano Prefecture’s Obuse-machi have opened new horizons for "Chestnut Confectionery" through a balance of coexistence and healthy competition.
Presentations from North American experts focused on survival and resilience within the industry. Linda Grimo, a veteran nursery expert from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, recounted the somber history of the American chestnut in her presentation, "Progress Through Perseverance."
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She revisited the early 1900s, when the species was nearly decimated by chestnut blight, serving as a stark warning of the vulnerability of native species to foreign diseases. Having cultivated nut trees since 1999, Grimo emphasized the high international recognition of Korean chestnut varieties for their resilience, particularly their strong resistance to pests like the Asian gall wasp. Similarly, Amy Miller, COO of Route 9 Cooperative in the United States, highlighted ongoing restoration efforts through hybrid breeding and community-driven projects.
During the 3rd International Chestnut Industry Future Development Forum, experts from five nations—Korea, Canada, the USA, Italy, and Japan—looked beyond technical cultivation to the cultural value of the crop. International visitors were struck by how deeply chestnuts are integrated into Korean daily life, from traditional stews served as in-flight meals to modern pizza toppings and their essential role in ancestral rites 'Jesa'.
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| (From left) Won-cheol Choi, Mayor of Gongju City; Amy Miller; Francesca Gioacchini; and Linda Grimo. |
The chestnut stands as a universal symbol of Korea’s culinary identity and filial culture. Grimo expressed profound admiration for the "warm and kind energy" of Gongju, reinforcing the idea that chestnuts are a "real-world crop," essential not only for food security but also for wildlife and high-quality timber.
Furthermore, the expo illuminated a path forward by drawing parallels with leading European producers. Italy’s "Castanea Expo" in Florence has gained significant attention as a "supply chain fair" that integrates everything from genetic research to "green tourism." Italy currently boasts 15 European-recognized chestnut products with DOP or IGP status, which significantly increases market value by linking products to their geographic heritage.
Moving toward the 2028 International Chestnut Industry Expo, an official stated that Korea intends to leverage this global platform to establish the definitive international standards for the chestnut industry. The official further noted that through this international expo, Korea aims to lead the global community by integrating Smart Forestry with the development of large-fruited, pest-resistant varieties to build a stable production base and foster the innovative exchanges that will define the future of the world chestnut market.
This landmark event is scheduled to take place for 23 days, from January 22 to February 13, 2028, co-hosted by Gongju City, Buyeo County, and Cheongyang County—the nation's primary chestnut-producing regions and esteemed UNESCO World Heritage cities.