Government Grain Stocks Unused for Feed Purposes in the Past Two Years

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] While the per capita rice consumption has been decreasing every year, the supply of rice has remained relatively high. It has been revealed that government rice stocks have not been used at all for feed purposes over the past two years.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs investigated by Choi Chun-sik, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee from the People Power Party, the usage status of government rice stocks over the past five years and six months from 2017 to the end of June this year shows that 'government rice stocks for feed' have not been used at all from 2020 to the end of June this year.

Among other uses, processed rice was the largest at 1,543,000 tons, followed by feed use (1,532,000 tons), alcohol production (800,000 tons), public auction (727,000 tons), welfare use such as for basic livelihood security recipients (604,000 tons), military use (238,000 tons), and school meals (400 tons).

Representative Choi stated, "The Moon Jae-in administration failed to make sufficient efforts to diversify and revitalize rice consumption, ultimately leaving only wounds for farmers," and pointed out, "Low-quality rice should be actively utilized to diversify rice consumption by replacing corn feed for cattle and pigs as feed."