Agricultural and Livestock Product Prices Up 2.2%... Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Says "Clear Stability in Fruits Like Apples and Bae"

The September consumer price survey results showed that consumer prices for agricultural and livestock products rose by 2.2% compared to the same month last year, indicating a slowdown in the upward trend.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that according to the September consumer price survey, consumer prices for agricultural and livestock products increased by 3.2% compared to the previous month and by 2.2% compared to the same month last year. After peaking in March, prices showed a downward trend and have since maintained a clear stability.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "The stability of fruit prices such as apples and pears, which maintained high prices due to reduced production last year, was evident. Since there was no disaster damage to fruits this year and the Growth Management Council was activated before flowering to conduct regular crop condition checks and strengthen on-site technical guidance, production increased, resulting in a 2.9% decrease compared to last year and a 6.9% decrease compared to the previous month. It is expected that this stable trend will continue."

Vegetables experienced poor growth due to an unusual heatwave that lasted until mid-September, causing prices to rise by 18.6% compared to the previous month and by 11.5% compared to last year. In particular, items vulnerable to high temperatures such as napa cabbage and spinach saw significant price increases.

The Ministry plans to mobilize all available means to stabilize the supply and demand of vegetables such as napa cabbage in preparation for the upcoming Kimjang season. Since the supply of mid- to high-altitude napa cabbage shipped by the end of October is expected to decrease somewhat compared to last year and the average year due to the heatwave in August and September, some autumn napa cabbage will be shipped early, and fresh napa cabbage will be imported to reduce shortages.

Additionally, through contract farming with the NongHyup and shipment control facilities, 6,000 tons of autumn napa cabbage will be supplied in October. The government will directly import 1,000 tons of fresh napa cabbage through the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and supply it mainly to demand centers such as restaurants and kimchi manufacturers. Furthermore, logistics costs will be partially supported for private importers to import and supply around 3,000 tons, increasing the supply volume.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "The high temperatures during the period when autumn napa cabbage seedlings were transplanted to the fields delayed the planting time by about one week compared to usual years. Some seedlings suffered damage and had to be removed and replanted (replanting). Therefore, it would be wiser to delay the Kimjang season by about one to two weeks compared to usual years. We will do our best to ensure stable supply during peak agricultural product consumption seasons such as Kimjang without letting our guard down at any moment."