This summer, the forecast for cabbage production is expected to drop sharply by 25% compared to the average, raising the possibility of another summer 'golden cabbage' crisis. The government plans to increase cabbage reserves to address this.
On the 15th, the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) reported in its June 'Agricultural Outlook' report that cabbage production this summer is expected to decrease by 24.5% to 236,000 tons.
KREI estimates production forecasts by reflecting the cultivation area and yield (unit output), estimating that this summer's cabbage cultivation area will decrease by 8.8% and 23.9% compared to last year and the average, respectively, at 3,418 hectares (1 hectare equals 10,000 square meters).
KREI noted that the cultivation area is likely to decrease due to factors such as crop rotation damage, fallow land caused by pest emergence, and difficulties in cultivation due to rising temperatures, adding that the weak market price of cabbage during the planting season will also impact the decrease in cultivation area.
If cabbage production decreases this much, prices could skyrocket. Last year, the unusually prolonged high temperatures combined with drought led to a reduction in production, causing cabbage prices to soar to double that of the previous year at one point.
To prevent this situation from repeating this year, the government plans to stockpile a record 23,000 tons and supply the market during periods of supply instability or increased demand during the Chuseok holiday. In addition, to quickly replant cabbage if damages from climatic disasters or pests occur, they have secured 2.5 million seedlings, 25% more than last year.