▲ Napa Cabbage
While the supply of napa cabbage and radishes is expected to remain stable for this year's Kimjang (kimchi-making) season, prices for garlic and onions are projected to be somewhat high due to decreased storage volumes.
To stabilize the supply and demand of Kimjang ingredients, the government has decided to expand supplies by utilizing contracted cultivation and stockpiled volumes, alongside promotional discount events.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced today (the 19th) that it held a meeting to inspect the supply and demand situation of Kimjang ingredients at the Government Complex-Sejong, chaired by Park Jeong-hoon, Deputy Minister for Food Policy, to discuss item-specific supply outlooks and response measures.
MAFRA projected that for napa cabbage and radishes, shipments this month will decrease slightly due to recent sharp drops in temperature and insufficient rainfall. However, overall crop conditions remain favorable, and supply is expected to stabilize starting next month when peak Kimjang season begins.
Accordingly, the ministry plans to adjust shipment volumes by utilizing contracted cultivation stocks and expand the supply of agricultural chemicals and materials to prepare for abnormal weather conditions.
Seasoning vegetables such as red pepper powder and green onions are also projected to see generally smooth supplies.
However, because garlic and onions are expected to maintain somewhat high prices due to reduced storage, the ministry decided to increase the supply of government-stockpiled volumes compared to last year while implementing concurrent discount support.
Pears, used in Kimjang seasonings, are currently priced lower than average years due to a decrease in consumption after Chuseok, despite some heat-crack damage. MAFRA expects this trend to continue through the Kimjang season.
Sun-dried salt is projected to have a stable supply due to large shipment volumes, but anchovy sauce and salted fermented shrimp are expected to have higher prices than last year due to decreased production.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to hold a seafood promotional event offering discounts of up to 50% from November 4 to 22 across online and offline retail channels, including E-Mart, Lotte Mart, Naver, and Kurly.
Pork, for which consumption increases during the Kimjang season for boiled pork slices (suyuk), saw wholesale prices shift to a downward trend from mid-month due to increased slaughter volumes.
MAFRA projected that from next month through December, the number of slaughtered pigs will maintain last year's levels, keeping prices on a slightly weak or stable trend.
In addition, a discount event for pork intended for suyuk utilizing the Handon Checkoff Fund is scheduled to run from the end of this month through December.
Park Jeong-hoon, Deputy Minister for Food Policy at MAFRA, stated, "We will continuously monitor the supply and demand situation of major Kimjang ingredients and establish an emergency response system to address risk factors such as temporary supply disruptions."
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