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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World Jindo Green Onion accounts for 30% of Korea’s total
green onion production.
Grown in sea breeze–swept fields surrounded by
ocean, Jindo’s green onions are rich in minerals and
flavor. They thrive even in winter and are recognized
as a premium product, having been designated
Geographical Indication No. 61.
But despite their quality and heritage, the green
onions once faced a crisis.
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“Green onion disposal alone
Falling Demand,
Rising Burden
cost KRW 6.8 billion.”
were often forced to plow under entire crops
As demand declined and prices dropped, farmers
without recovering labor costs.
Over five years, the cost of destroying unsold
green onions reached KRW 6.8 billion, placing
a significant strain on Jindo County’s finances.
The county organized a Green Onion Festival
and ran TV campaigns to boost interest, which
led to short-term attention but failed to create
sustainable sales channels.
In response, Jindo County established the
Agricultural and Fishery Products Distribution
Project Group in 2023 to secure new markets and
strengthen the branding of local produce.
(Source) Jindo County and McDonlad’s
“Loconomy Integration and Island Story
Collaboration with
Conglomerates”
The Jindo County Agricultural and Fishery Products
collaboration with large corporations in line with the
Distribution Project Group aimed to promote
rising loconomy trend.
They first held a familiarization tour, inviting key
personnel from companies such as McDonald’s
and TMON. During the tour, which introduced major
production sites and processing facilities, participants
praised the high quality of Jindo’s products.
BGF Retail, recognizing the commercial value of Jindo
Green Onion, purchased 30 tons, releasing three types
From its debut, it became a hot topic—selling
of ready-to-eat meals through CU convenience stores,
500,000 units in just one week, and achieving
which gained significant popularity.
1.4 million units sold, the fastest record in
McDonald’s Korea history.
Due to early sell-outs and high consumer
demand, the Jindo Green Onion Burger was
relaunched, and three versions were introduced
during its third release. As a result, 150 tons of
Jindo Green Onion were consumed, bringing
new vitality to local farms.
In 2022, Jindo County’s green onion income
was KRW 24.8 billion, but in 2023, the year of the
burger launch, that figure increased to KRW 56.3
billion, a 2.27-fold increase.
Now, “Jindo Green Onion” has grown beyond
being just an agricultural product—it has
become a symbol of the region. As it plays a role
in connecting the region to the world, we look
forward to what kinds of new changes it will
bring in the future.
A collaboration with McDonald’s was also pursued. As
part of the “Taste of Korea” project, McDonald’s used
agricultural and fishery products from Jeollanam-do
Province.
Thanks to active cooperation regarding green onion
supply and quality assurance, the green onion burger
was launched, resulting in the sale of 50 tons of Jindo
Green Onion.
Eventually, the “Jindo Green Onion Cream Croquette
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Burger” was launched.