Miryung Song, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated that there is no need to worry about the supply of napa cabbage ahead of the kimchi-making season. During a press conference held yesterday at the Government Complex Sejong, Minister Song mentioned, “In the next week, napa cabbage prices at the five major supermarkets are expected to be around 3,000 won per head, similar to last year’s prices, and the supply will be sufficient compared to last year.”
She further explained, “The wholesale price of napa cabbage dropped from around 9,500 won per head last month to about 2,900 won recently. By next month, napa cabbage from the southern regions will be available, causing the wholesale price to fluctuate around the 2,000 won mark,” emphasizing again that there’s no need to worry about cabbage prices.
Minister Song also highlighted the importance of providing information on where consumers can buy napa cabbage at lower prices and mentioned having asked for methods to kindly inform the public.
Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs had planned to import 1,100 tons of Chinese napa cabbage to lower prices, but due to low demand, they imported only 48 tons and have effectively halted further imports.
Minister Song also addressed future initiatives, pointing to measures against the fall in rice prices. She remarked, “We should have strongly pushed for a reduction in rice cultivation areas at the beginning of this year,” and plans to reduce 8,000 hectares (80 square kilometers) next year.
Additionally, she stated that by the end of this year, solutions would be devised in five areas, including the restructuring measures for the rice industry and responses to climate change, as last month a task force was set up for agricultural and rural structural reform.