Agricultural Workers and Others "Diversification of Transactions Including Agricultural Product Auctions and Market Wholesalers"

Announcement of Public Opinion Results on Wholesale Market System Improvement
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs "Preparing Measures to Improve Wholesale Market Transactions in the First Half of the Year"

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Amid ongoing debates on whether to introduce systems such as the market wholesaler system into agricultural product wholesale markets, which mainly operate under an auction system, a survey has revealed that key stakeholders, including farmers, generally agree on the need to diversify transaction methods on a broad scale.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 22nd the results of collecting 1,156 public opinions from January to March. Overall, there were many opinions calling for ▲improvement of the auction system ▲price guarantees for shipped agricultural products ▲activation of transaction systems such as market wholesalers beyond auctions.

Currently, most major agricultural product wholesale markets, including Garak Market, operate under an auction system. Recently, with the introduction of the market wholesaler system at Gangseo Market, where producers and distributors negotiate prices, opinions have emerged that transaction systems should be diversified.

The survey results showed many opinions supporting the need to introduce systems other than the auction system. Among farmers (397 cases), 40% responded that improvement of the auction system is necessary. They stated that the system should be improved to mitigate price volatility of agricultural products and to ensure fairness and transparency in auction transactions. Thirty percent said transaction system diversification is needed, and 9% said receiving fair prices for agricultural products is necessary.

Among wholesale distributors (190 cases), 42% opposed the introduction of the market wholesaler system. However, 34% agreed with diversifying transaction systems, including the market wholesaler system. Four percent responded that the wholesale corporation system should be improved.

Among academics and research experts (101 cases), 84% expressed the opinion that transaction systems should be diversified to include wholesale market auctions, fixed-price negotiated sales, and market wholesalers. Consumers and others (468 cases) also showed that 58% believe diversification of wholesale market transaction systems is necessary.

A Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs official stated, "The Ministry prioritizes resolving inconveniences and complaints of farmers regarding agricultural product wholesale distribution and market use, as well as strengthening the public nature of wholesale market corporations," adding, "Based on the public opinion collection results and issues with improper transaction practices in wholesale markets, we plan to prepare improvement measures in the first half of this year through expert discussions and public hearings."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.