Management Status and Development Plan of Green Tea Processors in Korea

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze the current management status of green tea processors in two regions (Hadong-gun and Boseong-gun) in Korea and to suggest directions for the development of the green tea industry based on an understanding their difficulties in management. This study showed that the number of green tea farms and the cultivation area had decreased, while the average unit sales price of green tea in Boseong-gun was approximately three times higher than that in Hadong-gun. Also, this study found that Hadong-gun mainly provided green tea products to wholesalers, whereas Boseong-gun sold it directly to the local retail stores targeting tourists, and this results in generating relatively higher unit prices. Meanwhile, we discovered that both regions had difficulties in management which were caused by the demand for low delivery unit costs from large corporations and small food companies. Therefore, in order to develop the green tea industry in both regions, the size of green tea fields and the scenery satisfaction should be improved to draw more tourists and boost tourists’ intention to revisit. In addition, it is necessary to enhance guidance and accessibility of related tourist sites, to expand green tea experience activities, and to improve product satisfaction by developing various goods. By inducing more tourists in these ways, it could change the sales type of green tea from wholesale to retail and help activate the management of green tea processors.