Ukisaem, a Korean agricultural company, is committed to producing high-quality, domestically sourced, and eco-friendly nuts, grains, and fruits. Ukisaem supplies Korean nuts, grains, and fruits grown in Korea, and aims to become a friendly nut processing company that is at the forefront of healthy and safe K-Food. Ukisaem's total export value in 2022 amounted to about 55,000 USD.

Ukisaem recognizes the potential for demand for organic, eco-friendly products instead of mass-produced nuts. By pursuing small-scale, high-quality nut production, the company aims to differentiate itself from larger foreign competitors and create a unique place in the market.

The establishment of Ukisaem was a risky endeavor. The CEO of Ukisaem, Im Ui-soo, obtained a 60 million won Jeonse(lump-sum housing lease), and saw it as a challenge to enter the nuts and fried fruit market, which consistently mostly of domestic products. Apart from some hard-to-grow almonds, Brazilian nuts, and other nuts which are hard to grow in Korea, all products use Korean ingredients. Chestnuts come from Boeun, Chungcheongnam-do, walnuts from Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do, apples and dates from Chungju, and acorns from Gimcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Signature products, such as the Almond Crisp Jujube and Brazil Nut Crisp Jujube
are all made by CEO Im. Ukisaem is now known as a leading nut brand in Korea. Ukisaem ensures its high-quality products by contracting excellent quality farmers directly (without intermediaries), X-ray screening, and short-term small-scale production.

Im’s approach to short-term small-scale production is driven by the scarcity of available farmland in Korea, where mountainous terrain limits agricultural opportunities. With increased competition in the export market where larger foreign companies can produce more, Im is betting on the growing demand for high-quality, organically produced Korean products. This approach comes with risks, as the limited workforce in rural areas makes it difficult to increase productivity. The Korean population is heavily concentrated in Seoul due to urbanization, further exacerbating the challenges in the agriculture sector. 25% of the farmers working at Ukisaem are village inhabitants. Im is also investing in a school in the local village to help foster future working talent and to create a win-win situation for the village inhabits.

Ukisaem almonds are currently exported to the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong and are
expected to expand to Europe and the Middle East. The almonds are hand-sliced and marketed as a high-end snack, appealing to the taste buds of people worldwide. The Almond Crisp Jujube product is the leading product in the domestic market, ranking #1 on the high-end Korean grocery shopping website Market Curly in the category nuts. The product is available at Wooltari Mall and Kim'C Market in the United States. Other products include the Brazil Nut Crisp Jujube and the Apple Chip with Health.

Last year a new product, an almond snack made from palm dates instead of jujube dates, was introduced. The Palm Date Almond snack was selected as a gift for the President during Chuseok, and for the Prime Minister during the Korean national holiday ‘Seollal’. While the product currently being exported is the Almond Crisp Jujube product, the new product which they are set to export will be the Almond Palm Date snack.

In conclusion, Ukisaem is a trailblazer in the nut industry, with its focus on domestically sourced, eco-friendly products, and its commitment to healthy and safe K-Food. With a history of overcoming challenges and a passion for creating unique products, Ukisaem has become a leading nut brand in Korea. With exports to the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong, and plans to expand to Europe and the Middle East, Ukisaem‘s high-end, hand-sliced almonds are sure to please nut lovers everywhere. Whether you‘re munching on Almond Crisp Jujube, savoring the Brazil Nut Crisp Jujube, or trying the new Palm Date Almond snack, you‘re sure to find a
tasty, healthy treat from Ukisaem.