Government Exceeds Chuseok Supplies Plan, Allocates 149 Billion Won for Discounts on 13 Key Goods

The government is moving to ease the burden of grocery prices ahead of Chuseok by supplying 13 key holiday items beyond its initial plan and expanding discount support for agricultural and livestock products.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced this after holding a meeting to check the implementation status of Chuseok livelihood stabilization measures at the Government Complex Sejong, chaired by Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Jong-gu today (14th).

According to MAFRA, the current supply of the 13 key Chuseok items stands at 109.1 percent of the initial plan, indicating that overall supply for major items is running smoothly.

The 13 key Chuseok items are apples, pears, Napa cabbage, radishes, onions, garlic, zucchini, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, chestnuts, and jujubes.

MAFRA increased its budget for discount support on agricultural and livestock products from an initial 59 billion won to 149 billion won and extended the support period from the 23rd to the 30th.

As a result, around 4,000 retail stores and other outlets are offering discounts of up to 40 percent on holiday items and products experiencing price increases.

MAFRA explained that 20 food companies are also holding independent discount events of up to 64 percent on 4,765 items facing high demand for Chuseok.

For Korean beef (hanwoo), which has seen high prices due to a recent decrease in the number of cattle raised, intensive discount events are being held around large supermarkets and other stores through September 24 utilizing self-sufficiency funds.

From the 16th to the 20th, Onnuri gift certificate refund events will be held at traditional markets, while the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup) and others will launch half-price holiday table discount events.

MAFRA plans to monitor the supply volume and prices of holiday items daily until Chuseok and expand supplies using available resources such as government stockpiles for items at risk of supply instability.

For garlic, the prices of which have risen due to a decrease in production volume, supplies are being expanded utilizing government-retained reserves.

Livestock supplies are also being increased through weekend operations at slaughterhouses and the expansion of affiliated shipment volumes.

Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Jong-gu said, "While holiday items are being stably supplied, there is a possibility of supply and demand fluctuations for some items depending on changes in weather conditions," adding, "We ask related organizations such as local agricultural cooperatives to manage shipments more thoroughly, and retailers to actively strengthen large-scale discount supports and half-price holiday table events so that consumers can fully feel the impact."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.