Cabbage and Radish Prices Are Falling... But More Expensive Than Usual Ahead of Kimjang Season

Delayed Growth and Poor Crop Conditions Likely to Cause Cabbage and Radish Price Decline Over Time
Government to Announce Supply Stabilization Measures Including Increased Kimjang Ingredient Supply by Month-End

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] As the kimchi-making season approaches, interest in the prices of kimchi ingredients such as napa cabbage and radish is growing. Although vegetable prices, which peaked in August and September, are on a downward trend, they are still higher than in previous years.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Agricultural Products Distribution Information (KAMIS), as of the 21st, the wholesale price of napa cabbage averaged 10,040 KRW per 10kg, down 17.0% from a week earlier (12,100 KRW). Compared to a month ago, when the wholesale price of napa cabbage soared to an average of 35,000 KRW due to adverse weather conditions such as typhoons, it has dropped 71.3%, but it remains 45.1% and 16.0% higher than last year (6,918 KRW) and the average year (8,652 KRW), respectively.

The retail price of napa cabbage also averaged 5,027 KRW per head as of the 21st, down 47.3% from the one-month average (9,562 KRW), but it is still 26.9% and 12.1% higher than last year (3,960 KRW) and the average year (4,483 KRW), respectively.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs assessed that despite these price trends, the wholesale and retail prices of napa cabbage are turning downward. The ministry explained that this is because the harvest of highland napa cabbage grown above 600 meters in Gangwon Province, which had poor crop conditions due to frequent rainfall, has been completed, and the quantity has increased and quality improved as mid-altitude napa cabbage is being harvested.

According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) Rural Observation Center, autumn napa cabbage production reached 1,288,000 tons, increasing compared to the previous year and maintaining average levels. Autumn napa cabbage seedlings are transplanted between late August and early September and harvested from late October to mid-December.

Due to delayed growth of autumn napa cabbage, the shipment volume in October is expected to slightly decrease compared to the previous year and average year. Autumn napa cabbage used during the kimchi-making season (November to December) is expected to be shipped in earnest from November. Due to delayed shipments in October and the full-scale shipment of autumn napa cabbage from the Honam region, prices in November are expected to decline compared to average years.

The wholesale price of radish, also widely used as a kimchi vegetable along with napa cabbage, averaged 24,640 KRW per 20kg as of the 21st. Compared to the price a month ago (30,800 KRW), it fell 20.0%, but radish prices remain 104.9% and 70.1% higher than last year (12,026 KRW) and the average year (14,489 KRW), respectively.

Autumn general radish production increased to 393,000 tons compared to the previous year. Due to a lack of rainfall since mid-September, growth was delayed, and shipments began late in October, later than the average mid-October, with full-scale shipments expected from November. Accordingly, wholesale prices in November are predicted to decline compared to last year and average years.

The government expected that prices of kimchi ingredients such as napa cabbage and radish would fall below average in September. However, due to delayed growth and poor crop conditions, it seems more time is needed for prices to recover to average levels.

In October, to stabilize supply and demand, the government plans to continue supplying napa cabbage harvested from 100 hectares of cabbage fields contracted for pre-purchase. The government predicts that the supply of napa cabbage will gradually increase and be sufficient during the kimchi-making season. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs also plans to announce measures to stabilize the supply and demand of major kimchi ingredients such as napa cabbage, radish, red pepper powder, and garlic at the end of this month in preparation for the kimchi-making season after November.

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