The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has initiated on-site inspections and supply expansion measures to ensure smooth supply of summer cabbage.
On the 6th, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Minister Song Mi-ryeong personally visited the highland cabbage cultivation area and harvesting control facility in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, to assess the growth conditions and harvesting circumstances.
A Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs official explained, "This year's short rainy season has led to an earlier onset of heat, and the average summer temperature is forecasted to be higher than usual, so we have decided to respond vigorously to ensure stable production and supply of summer cabbage."
Cabbage is a crop that grows most actively in cool climates with temperatures around 18 to 20 degrees Celsius, and it is harvested in summer from highlands above 400 meters in elevation. However, summer cabbage is vulnerable to heat waves and heavy rain, making its supply unstable.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has signed a pre-purchase contract for 4,000 tons with NongHyup and local distributors to minimize supply instability, and is also concurrently implementing a crop conversion at the level of 2,000 tons.
Management measures for growth in preparation for climate anomalies and the potential spread of diseases and pests are also in operation. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to expand the supply of chemicals and extra seedlings while providing support for disease and pest control in cooperation with relevant agencies through the 'Growth Management Council.'
In addition, ahead of the Chuseok peak season, the government has significantly increased its stockpile to prepare for supply disruptions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to inject government stockpile into wholesale markets and kimchi manufacturers if cabbage prices rise. The amount secured by the government this year is 36,000 tons, which is more than double last year's amount.
Minister Song said on-site, "I urge the Rural Development Administration, local governments, and NongHyup, among other relevant organizations, to cooperate actively so that farmers can reliably produce summer cabbage by enhancing on-site technical guidance for heat wave preparedness, expanding irrigation facilities, and supporting pest control."