Securing Supply Despite 'Baechu Crisis'... Increasing Quantity by 200 Tons
40,000 Boxes of Pickled Baechu and 30,000 Boxes of Beta Fresh
Pre-Orders from the 25th to 31st of This Month
Emart announced on the 23rd that it will conduct pre-orders for regular salted napa cabbages for kimchi-making and Beta Fresh salted napa cabbages, exclusively operated by Emart, for one week from the 25th to the 31st.
Regular salted napa cabbages are limited to 40,000 boxes across all Emart stores, and Beta Fresh salted napa cabbages are limited to 30,000 boxes, totaling 70,000 boxes available for pre-order. Each box contains 20 kg of salted napa cabbage, and customers can choose their preferred pickup date between November 14 and December 14.
According to Emart, this year’s napa cabbage prices have soared due to supply shortages caused by abnormal weather conditions since last summer. Furthermore, the prolonged heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rains continuing through the autumn napa cabbage planting season have resulted in poor crop conditions, raising concerns about a cabbage shortage during the kimchi-making season.
Despite these adverse conditions, Emart secured 70,000 boxes of salted napa cabbage, an increase of 10,000 boxes (approximately 200 tons) compared to last year. This was achieved by signing pre-contracts with napa cabbage producers nationwide from early this year and maintaining continuous quality control thereafter.
Prices have been lowered compared to last year. The "Regular Salted Napa Cabbage (20 kg, box)" is sold at a promotional price of 29,800 KRW per box for in-store pickup when paid fully with the event card, limited to 20,000 boxes across all stores. Additionally, customers receive 3,000 e-money points, which can be used like cash on the Emart app, upon in-store pickup. Reflecting the e-money points, the final effective price is 26,800 KRW, about 10% cheaper than last year’s lowest Emart price of 29,840 KRW.
The regular napa cabbages come from major production areas such as Haenam and Mungyeong, where salted napa cabbage factories certified with HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) have been expanded. This reduces logistics costs by shortening the distance between contract farms and transportation, thereby lowering prices.
The "Beta Fresh Salted Napa Cabbage (20 kg, box)," exclusively operated by Emart, is also offered under the same conditions: a promotional price of 39,800 KRW with full payment by event card for in-store pickup, plus 3,000 e-money points, resulting in a final effective price of 36,800 KRW. This matches last year’s lowest Emart price.
The Beta Fresh variety is somewhat smaller than regular napa cabbage but has yellow roots and a crisp texture that resists softening. Although it has a longer growing period and is more difficult to cultivate than regular napa cabbage, farmers can focus solely on cultivation since Emart purchases the entire yield. After Beta Fresh salted napa cabbage gained popularity last year, Emart discovered new production areas this year to expand cultivation acreage and reduce weather-related risks by diversifying production sites.
In line with the trend of convenient kimchi-making, Emart also prepared small-quantity kimchi kits. These kits consist of 7 kg of salted napa cabbage and 3 kg of kimchi seasoning, sold exclusively for delivery at a promotional price of 42,800 KRW when paid fully with the event card.
To encourage customers to visit offline stores this year, Emart plans to expand benefits for in-store pickup of salted napa cabbage. Customers who reserve in-store pickup will receive 10% discount coupons via the Emart app for kimchi-making ingredients such as ▲brand pork front leg ▲all peeled garlic products ▲all red pepper powder products ▲all sea salt products.
Yoon Saemi, Emart’s napa cabbage buyer, said, "We have worked hard to satisfy both the quality and price of salted napa cabbage for customers who trust and visit Emart. We will continue to enhance Emart’s unique freshness competitiveness through developing new production areas."
Meanwhile, Emart is also running promotions on kimchi refrigerators and kimchi-making supplies simultaneously. From the 25th to the 31st, Emart app users can receive discount coupons of up to 100,000 KRW on kimchi refrigerator promotional products. Additional benefits of up to 100,000 KRW are available when purchasing refrigerators and kimchi refrigerators together. Furthermore, 'Lock&Lock Kimchi Containers (4.5ℓ × 2 pieces)' and 'Comex Peach Pink Kimchi Containers (8.3ℓ × 2 pieces)' are sold at promotional prices of 8,900 KRW and 13,900 KRW, respectively.
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