Last year’s exports of forest products recorded $310 million, exceeding the original target by 11 percent, according to the Korea Forest Service on Monday.

The growth was most conspicuous in raw chestnuts, potted plants and fiberboard, officials said.

Exports of raw chestnuts totaled $28 million and saw a 47 percent rise from the previous year, though its local productivity fell due to climate change, drought and typhoons.

This was the result of the KFS’ active export policies, such as offering extra incentives for chestnut export businesses and backing their overseas promotional events, officials said.

Dried persimmons and potted plants, too, successfully made their way into the U.S. market and their export amount soared by 357 percent and 127 percent, respectively.

Pyogo mushrooms were strong in the European market, where total sales rose by 16 percent to $180,000.

Fiberboard, boosted by the construction business in the Middle East, recorded $39.2 million, which was a 71 percent year on-year rise.

“We plan to invest 5 billion won ($4.6 million) this year to create an export complex for forest goods and support local firms in breaking new overseas markets,” said Choi Jun-seok, director general at the KFS International Affairs Bureau.

“We thus aim at attaining $330 million, which is this year’s total export target line.”

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)