Jeollanam-do Focuses Administrative Efforts on Stabilizing Garlic and Onion Supply

Request for Use of Domestic Garlic Seed Bulbs at Major Production Area Council Meeting

On the 3rd, Jeollanam-do held a Garlic and Onion Wide-Area Major Production Area Council meeting at the Jangheung-gun Agricultural Technology Center to ensure stable supply management during the garlic and onion seedling season. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On September 3, Jeollanam-do held a Garlic and Onion Wide-Area Major Production Area Council meeting at the Jangheung-gun Agricultural Technology Center to discuss measures for managing appropriate cultivation areas and ensuring stable supply during the garlic and onion seedling season. The province also began inspections regarding the use of domestically produced garlic seed bulbs.

The Major Production Area Council plays a decision-making role in stabilizing the supply of garlic and onions by sharing and analyzing observation and supply information from each institution to manage appropriate cultivation areas and crop growth.

This meeting was attended by about 40 participants, including representatives from major garlic and onion-producing cities and counties in the region, producer organizations, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and the Korea Rural Economic Institute. They discussed strategies for managing appropriate cultivation areas ahead of the 2026 garlic and onion seedling season.

According to the August issue of the Agricultural Outlook Center at the Korea Rural Economic Institute, the cultivation area for 2026 onions is expected to decrease by 5.3% year-on-year to 17,247 hectares, due to falling onion prices at the time of the 2025 harvest and rising labor costs. As a result, the meeting focused on managing onion seedling beds, crop growth, and establishing region-specific measures to secure appropriate onion cultivation areas.

Jeollanam-do is actively encouraging participation in preemptive supply stabilization measures, such as eradicating the use of imported seed bulbs-which is a growing concern due to falling garlic prices in China-and promoting the use of domestically produced seed bulbs through a campaign led by the Garlic Producers’ Association Management Committee.

To stabilize supply and prices through the management of appropriate garlic cultivation areas, the Garlic Producers’ Association Management Committee is conducting a garlic cultivation intention survey, and growers are asked to participate by September 12.

Garlic farmers can register information about their farmland for the 2026 garlic crop by accessing the Garlic Association Integrated Portal System.

Detailed instructions can be obtained from the Garlic Producers’ Association Management Committee, local administrative welfare centers, or regional branches of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.

Yoo Deokgyu, Director of the Food and Horticulture Division of Jeollanam-do, stated, “Through the garlic and onion major production area council, we will establish a preemptive supply management system to help stabilize farm management,” and requested, “For the stable supply of 2026 garlic and onions, please actively cooperate in onion seedling management, the use of domestically produced garlic seed bulbs, and reporting intended garlic cultivation areas.”