Ministry of Agriculture and Food Strengthens Management of Horticultural Crops

The Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Song Mi-ryeong hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Agriculture) announced its plans to strengthen the management of horticultural crops like cabbage which are currently in short supply to ensure a stable supply of vegetables used for kimchi-making ahead of the kimchi season.

This year the prolonged heatwave has generally stunted the growth of horticultural crops including cabbage. However the supply of other crops such as onions green onions cabbage Cheongyang peppers apples and grapes remains sufficient despite the extreme temperatures.

As of early October wholesale prices for key horticultural crops show a decrease compared to last year: onions (-16.1%) green onions (-31.7%) cabbage (-26.6%) Cheongyang peppers (-8.0%) apples (-38.8%) and grapes (-42.4%).

Onion: (Oct. 2023) KRW 1371/kg → (Oct. 2024) KRW 1150
Green onion: (Oct. 2023) KRW 2642/kg → (Oct. 2024) KRW 1804
Cabbage: (Oct. 2023) KRW 4015/head → (Oct. 2024) KRW 2946
Cheongyang pepper: (Oct. 2023) KRW 5690/kg → (Oct. 2024) KRW 5234
Apple: (Oct. 2023) KRW 8225/kg → (Oct. 2024) KRW 5036
Grape: (Oct. 2023) KRW 7289/kg → (Oct. 2024) KRW 4201
On the other hand prices for cabbage radishes lettuce perilla leaves spinach cucumbers and zucchini remain higher than last year primarily due to the prolonged high temperatures in August and September and the heavy rainfall on September 20-21 which affected crop growth.

In 2024 the national average summer temperature was 25.6°C the highest since 1973 surpassing the normal average (23.7°C) by 1.9°C. The number of tropical nights was 20.2 days more than three times the average (6.5 days) setting a record (as of September 5 2024 by the Korea Meteorological Administration).

Cabbage: Currently cabbage from mid-altitude regions like Pyeongchang Hoengseong and Gangneung is being shipped but due to the prolonged high temperatures from early August through the post-Chuseok wrapping period growth has been slow. As a result supply is expected to remain limited through mid-October. However by late October cabbage shipments are expected to expand to regions like Gyeongbuk and Chungbuk with crop recovery leading to a significant increase in supply.

To address the reduced supply the Ministry of Agriculture is supporting incentives to encourage early shipment until mid-October and has begun importing fresh cabbage to alleviate shortages for kimchi producers and the restaurant industry. In addition discount programs for consumers will be available through October 16 to help ease household burdens.

Radishes: Prices for radishes are higher than usual due to reduced planting and poor growth conditions compounded by increased demand as a cabbage substitute. However with improving growth conditions in October production is expected to recover and prices should stabilize by November when radishes used for kimchi-making begin to ship in bulk.

Lettuce & Perilla Leaves: These crops have also seen reduced shipments due to poor growth caused by high temperatures and flooding in key production areas like Nonsan and Iksan. Prices are expected to decrease after late October as crop recovery improves.

Spinach: Prices have been on a downward trend following a drop in demand after Chuseok and the expansion of shipping regions like Pohang in Gyeongbuk is expected to further stabilize prices.

Tomatoes Cucumbers Zucchini: The main production areas for these crops—Jangsu (tomatoes) Cheonan (cucumbers) and Jeollabuk-do—have been affected by the heatwave reduced sunlight and sudden temperature changes. Nutritional supplements are being provided at a discount to help with recovery. As the crops recover in regions like Cheorwon (Gangwon-do) and Jangsu (Jeollabuk-do) for tomatoes Gongju (Chungcheongnam-do) for cucumbers and Cheongju (Chungcheongbuk-do) for zucchini supply is expected to increase from late October leading to price stabilization.

Apples: With delayed shipments of Hongro apples from before Chuseok now extending into October supply has increased compared to last year keeping wholesale and retail prices low. The Fuji variety which started shipping in October is also experiencing good growing conditions due to favorable temperature differences with production expected to reach normal levels.

Pears: Although overall production was expected to increase this year prolonged high temperatures and heavy rainfall following Chuseok have caused some sunburn and cracking in pears. Experts attribute these issues to the intense heat which caused sunburn and the rapid water absorption due to heavy rainfall on September 20-21 which led to cracking.

The Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with local governments the Rural Development Administration and the Korea Rural Economic Institute is currently investigating the damage and will establish response measures based on the findings.

Meanwhile on October 14 in response to the forecasted heavy rains in the Jeonnam and Gyeongnam regions the Ministry of Agriculture held an urgent meeting of the Horticultural Crop Management Task Force* to assess disaster preparedness.
*Meeting held on October 14 2024 (14:00–14:30) chaired by the Director of Distribution and Consumption Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture with local horticultural officials from Busan Daegu Gwangju Daejeon Ulsan Gyeonggi Gangwon Chungbuk Chungnam Jeonbuk Jeonnam Gyeongbuk Gyeongnam and Jeju as well as officials from Nonghyup.

Particular emphasis was placed on thorough drainage system maintenance to prevent damage in regions such as Haenam and Jindo which are major producers of open-field vegetables like cabbage and green onions. After the rains farmers were urged to apply government- and privately-funded nutritional supplements to ensure proper crop management.

Additionally for greenhouse crops like green peppers zucchini and tomatoes which are sensitive to sunlight farmers were advised to enhance carbon dioxide fertilization to boost photosynthesis during the expected cloudy weather. The Ministry also emphasized thorough crop management by applying the nutritional supplements provided through Nonghyup.

The Ministry of Agriculture plans to maintain an emergency response system in anticipation of rapid temperature changes and continued cloudy weather as these could negatively impact the supply and demand conditions for horticultural crops. It will distribute pest control techniques and guidelines for safe crop management to farmers and strengthen overall crop growth management.

Furthermore a “Kimchi Ingredient Supply Stabilization Plan” will be prepared by the end of October to ensure a stable supply of ingredients for kimchi-making.

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