Need to Save Kimchi... Packaged Kimchi Sold Out as Napa Cabbage Price Exceeds 20,000 Won

Jongga Kimchi, Baechu Kimchi Products Sold Out One After Another

As the price of a single head of cabbage exceeded 20,000 won due to the prolonged heatwave, demand for packaged kimchi surged. Packaged kimchi products are rapidly selling out on the online malls of major production companies.

Photo by Jeongwon eShop Capture

Daesang Corporation, which holds more than one-third of the packaged kimchi market share with its "Jongga Kimchi" brand, announced on the 19th that cabbage prices are rising and supply is tight, and that they will regulate supply until mid-next month when the autumn cabbage is shipped. As of the afternoon of the 25th, only 5 out of 42 cabbage kimchi-related products were available on their online mall, Jeongwon e-Shop. Even those were mostly children's kimchi or retort-pack aged kimchi stew, among others. Daesang decided to prioritize deliveries to their business partners and adjust the quantity available on their own mall.

The situation is similar for CJ CheilJedang, the second-largest packaged kimchi producer. On CJ The Market, 21 out of 29 Bibigo cabbage kimchi products are sold out. It is also difficult to find related products such as Jongga Kimchi and Bibigo Kimchi on several online shopping malls like SSG.com.

The rise in cabbage prices is attributed to continued hot weather in September, which worsened the growth conditions. Cabbage is a cool-season vegetable with an optimal growth temperature of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. Due to delayed growth and reduced marketability, high-quality cabbage has become scarce, driving prices up. In particular, Gangwon, known as a major cabbage production area, experienced longer periods of daytime temperatures exceeding 30 degrees compared to previous years, indicating unfavorable climate conditions.

According to agricultural product distribution information from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, as of the 21st, the retail price of one head of cabbage was recorded at 9,337 won. This represents an increase of 69.49% compared to one year ago and 32.65% compared to the average year.

The distribution industry expects the upward price trend to continue until mid-October when the autumn cabbage supply begins, due to the shortage of summer cabbage supply.

In response to growing consumer concerns, a Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs official stated, "We expect the supply situation to improve as the temperature drops and vegetable growth recovers." They added, "We plan to continue providing discount support after Chuseok for crops like cabbage that have poor yields to reduce the burden on consumers."