Potato Production Reaches 360,000 Tons This Year... Production Up 18% as Prices Rise

Statistics Korea, Spring Potato Production Survey Results

Potato display at a large supermarket in Seoul. The photo is unrelated to the article content. [Image source=Yonhap News]

This spring's potato production was recorded at 358,022 tons.

According to the "Spring Potato Production Survey Results" announced by Statistics Korea on the 7th, this year's spring potato production increased by 54,811 tons (18.1%) from 303,211 tons last year.

The increase is attributed to the rise in potato prices last year, which led to an expansion of the cultivation area from 13,017 hectares (ha) to 14,699 ha, a 12.9% increase. Potato prices have been on the rise, from 1,618 KRW in 2021 to 2,341 KRW last year, and 2,486 KRW this year.

Along with the cultivation area, production volume also increased. In particular, the damage ratio decreased compared to the previous year, when drought caused poor crop conditions. The yield per 10 acres (a) was 2,436 kg, up 4.6% from 2,329 kg last year.

By city and province, Gyeongbuk had the highest production at 60,091 tons, accounting for 16.8% of the total. Chungnam recorded 56,790 tons (15.9%), and Gangwon recorded 53,969 tons (15.1%).

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