Napa Cabbage Prices Surge 52% in a Month
Heatwaves and Heavy Rains Lead to Sharp Drop in Quality
With alternating heatwaves and heavy rains, the price of napa cabbage has surged, with the retail price for a single head surpassing 7,000 won.
The price of napa cabbage has soared, with the retail price per head exceeding 7,000 won. A photo of napa cabbage unrelated to the article. Pixabay
According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation on August 19, the average retail price of premium napa cabbage as of the previous day was recorded at 7,062 won. This is 9.3% higher than last year and 11% higher than the average year. Just last month, napa cabbage was in the 4,000 won range, but in a single month, the price jumped by nearly 2,500 won-a 52% increase compared to the previous month.
Typically, napa cabbage prices rise in August compared to July, but this year, the increase has been particularly steep. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained, "Prolonged heatwaves and heavy rains have significantly reduced the quality of napa cabbage." Large retailers also reported, "Due to abnormal weather, the supply of high-quality napa cabbage has decreased."
However, wholesale prices have remained stable. On August 14, the average wholesale price for premium napa cabbage was 4,393 won, which is 23.6% lower than last year and 5.7% lower than the average year. This is attributed to increased shipments of highland napa cabbage from Gangwon Province and the release of government reserve supplies. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "Retail prices typically follow wholesale prices with a lag of two to three weeks," and expressed hope that if stable weather continues, retail prices will also stabilize.
Meanwhile, prices of other agricultural products varied by item. The price of radish fell 18% from last year to 2,588 won, while cabbage rose 3.3% to 4,526 won. Tomatoes became 11.1% more expensive at 5,571 won per kilogram, and watermelons, now nearing the end of the season, dropped to 29,910 won but still remain 9.8% higher than the average year. Peaches were priced at 22,685 won for ten, up 26.3% from last year.
With unstable weather conditions causing fluctuations in the prices of major agricultural products, grocery prices are expected to remain volatile for some time if abnormal climate patterns persist.
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