Achieved 2.4 billion won in sales last year, development and production of new wildflower varieties
Park Gong-young, CEO of Woori Seed GroupThe Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 9th that it has selected Park Gong-young, CEO of Woori Seed, as the Rural Convergence Industry Person of the Month for April.
Woori Seed has succeeded in rural convergence industrialization by securing excellent domestic and international plant genetic resources to develop high-quality, new varieties of wildflowers and various products such as small-package flower seeds, wildflower seedlings and pots, and wall greening products. Last year, it generated sales of approximately 2.4 billion won.
CEO Park Gong-young established the agricultural corporation Woori Seed in 2013, leveraging his experience gained from majoring in agricultural biology at university and working at a major seed company. As an expert in wildflower breeding and production, he is currently leading the domestic wildflower market by registering 96 varieties for protection at the National Seed Center, breeding over 100 species of wildflowers, and directly producing 3 million units.
Woori Seed is fully equipped with facilities such as large geothermal greenhouses and cold storage, and through the operation of a corporate research institute, it develops new varieties of wildflowers that bloom year-round and produces various processed products, including wildflower seeds, bulbs, and seedlings, that consumers can easily grow. In particular, having acquired numerous patents related to landscaping and planting, the company is expanding its landscaping business, including vertical gardens for building exteriors and eco-friendly Korean-style gardens.
Woori Seed generates stable revenue by supplying to public institutions and landscaping companies, as well as by diversifying sales channels such as direct sales and online product sales. In addition, having obtained Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) and Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015) certifications, it is expanding into the U.S., Japan, Europe, and other regions.
It entered the overseas market and generated approximately 9 million won in revenue from wildflower variety royalties in 2018. It operates various garden experiences to provide a broad range of experiences regarding gardens and plants, as well as the ‘Icheon Green Academy,’ an urban gardening education program that the general public can easily enjoy. In 2018, it also opened a space at the Seoul Botanic Garden to serve refreshments, including tea and meals.
The head of the Rural Industry Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained the reason for the selection, stating, “Woori Seed is creating diverse everyday spaces where people can encounter wildflowers, such as vertical greening structures, going beyond the beauty of flowers.”