Cabbage contract cultivation expands 10% from previous year with 40% discount support for kimchi vegetables in South Korea

The South Korean government is implementing strategies to stabilize kimchi ingredient prices and supply during the kimchi season by boosting cabbage supply through a 10% increase in contract cultivation, maintaining a permanent stockpile, and offering up to 40% discounts on kimchi vegetables at various markets. Additionally, the government will adjust the supply of seasoned vegetables from its stockpile based on market conditions and enforce strict checks on the origin of kimchi ingredients to ensure consumer trust. These measures aim to counteract the 80% rise in cabbage prices due to poor growth and ensure a stable supply and demand during the kimchi season.

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Ji-in Cho Da-un = The government has decided to increase the supply of major ingredients, including cabbage, and directly support the sale of kimchi vegetables at large discounts at supermarkets and traditional markets in order to manage the price and supply of kimchi ingredients stably during the kimchi season. In particular, in order to expand the supply of the main ingredient, cabbage, the contract cultivation volume will be increased by 10% compared to last year and a permanent stockpile will be secured. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mee-ryeong announced this at the 'Kimchi Ingredient Supply and Demand Stabilization Measures Democratic Party-Government Council' held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. In particular, Minister Song said, "We will increase the contract cultivation volume of cabbage by 10% compared to last year to supply 24,000 tons and permanently stockpile 1,000 tons starting from the end of October ...