Seeking Measures to Address 23% Drop in Cattle Prices and Strengthen Competitiveness
Kim Kwangyeol, the mayor of Yeongdeok County, held a 'Field Communication Day' at the Yeongdeok County Agricultural Technology Center on the 20th to discuss practical support measures for Hanwoo cattle farmers who are struggling due to the recent decline in cattle prices and rising production costs.
Gwangyeol Kim, Yeongdeok County Governor, is communicating while listening to the difficulties of stakeholders in the Korean beef industry on the 20th.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and others, the price of compound feed has risen by more than 20% over the past three years, becoming a major factor in the increase in production costs for Hanwoo farmers, along with high interest rates. Furthermore, the number of Hanwoo cattle raised nationwide has increased by 26% compared to 2015, and this oversupply has further fueled the decline in cattle prices.
While the production costs for Hanwoo have risen significantly, the price of Hanwoo has dropped by more than 23% at auction compared to three years ago. As a result, farmers are currently suffering a loss of 2.3 million KRW per head sold, facing serious management difficulties.
In response, Mayor Kim met with about ten people, including representatives from the Yeongdeok County Hanwoo Association, the Yeongdeok County Hanwoo Research Group, and executives from the Yeongdeok Uljin Livestock Cooperative, to share the crisis faced by Hanwoo farmers and to seek measures for countermeasures and strengthening competitiveness.
During this communication event, topics discussed included: ▲relaxation of ordinances restricting livestock farming ▲interest support for feed purchase loans ▲effective operation of livestock equipment subsidy projects ▲efficient promotion of biochar demonstration projects ▲support for deworming projects. Mayor Kim stated that he would propose to Gyeongbuk Province and central government departments to establish fundamental policy alternatives for these issues.
Mayor Kim also instructed the relevant department heads to establish a comprehensive plan for managing corn harvesting equipment and to thoroughly review and report on the current status of regulations related to farm sites and compost facilities.
Park Sungtaek, head of the Yeongdeok County Hanwoo Association, said, "Although the heatwave was severe this time, the large fans provided by Yeongdeok County were a great help in minimizing heat-related illnesses. I hope that through this meeting, Yeongdeok County and Hanwoo farmers can overcome the current crisis through close cooperation."
Mayor Kim Kwangyeol stated, "Rather than being bound by ordinances or laws and merely focusing on administrative processing, I will develop comprehensive measures to truly help Hanwoo farmers by grasping the overall situation, even if some issues cannot be resolved immediately."
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