"Cabbage and Radish Up to 40% Discount Sale" ... Announcement of Measures to Stabilize Kimchi Ingredients Supply

Increasing Supply of Kimjang Ingredients Compared to Last Year
Supporting Up to 50% Discount on Seafood Sales
Minister Song Miryeong: "Efforts to Reduce Consumer Burden"

The government is increasing market supply of price-rising items such as napa cabbage and radish in preparation for the kimchi-making season. Contract cultivation volumes for napa cabbage and radish will be released to the market, increased by 10% and 14% respectively compared to last year. The plan also includes supporting consumers by offering up to 40% discounts on napa cabbage and radish prices at nationwide supermarkets and traditional markets to reduce consumer burden.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the People Power Party held a public-private-government council meeting on the 23rd and announced the 'Kimchi Ingredient Supply Stabilization Measures' more than 10 days earlier than usual to ease the national burden during the kimchi-making season.

Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is speaking at the Min-Dang-Jeong Council on Measures to Stabilize the Supply of Kimchi Ingredients held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The government will maximize the supply of kimchi ingredients by utilizing contract cultivation volumes and stockpiled quantities. Napa cabbage and radish contract cultivation volumes (24,000 tons of napa cabbage and 9,100 tons of radish) will be supplied intensively during the peak season. This represents a 10% increase for napa cabbage and a 14% increase for radish compared to the previous year. Additionally, in case of price surges due to adverse weather conditions, the government will maintain a certain amount of stockpiled supply (around 1,000 tons) that can be immediately released to the market.

Government stockpiles of chili peppers, garlic, onions, and solar salt will also be supplied to traditional markets, wholesale markets, and large retailers. 1,000 tons of imported chili peppers will be released early this month to chili powder processing companies. Domestic garlic and onions, 500 tons each, are scheduled to be supplied to wholesale markets starting early next month. Some quantities will be supplied directly to large supermarkets for discounted sales.

The government will reduce consumer burden by up to 50% through discounts on agricultural and marine products. For agricultural products, napa cabbage, radish, and other price-rising items will be sold at up to 40% discount at 18,300 locations nationwide, including large and small supermarkets and traditional markets, until December 4. Marine products will be sold at up to 50% discount during the 'Korea Seafood Festa' held from the 20th to the 30th of next month, featuring kimchi ingredients such as solar salt, salted shrimp, anchovy fish sauce, and oysters.

Safety management will also be strengthened through origin labeling inspections and residual pesticide tests for kimchi ingredients. Timely information related to the supply of kimchi ingredients will be provided to support consumers in making rational purchasing decisions.

Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "The supply conditions for kimchi ingredients this year are generally favorable," adding, "Although there were concerns about supply due to the summer heatwave, the active growth management efforts of farmers will ensure stable supply of napa cabbage." She continued, "We will make every effort in cooperation with related ministries and agencies to reduce consumer burden during the kimchi-making season."