The ministry has offered discount programs of up to 40 percent off the prices of cabbage, radish, carrots, and other vegetables, set to expire on Wednesday. But these measures have now been extended until March.
According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on Tuesday, retail prices of cabbage, primarily used for pickled, spicy cabbage dish known as kimchi, reached 5,195 won (US$3.63) per head on Monday, up 36.2 percent on-year, and 26.4 percent higher than the three-year average.
For radish, another key ingredient in many Korean dishes, prices saw an even steeper climb, selling at 3,241 won per bunch — an 80.4 percent increase from last year and 80.8 percent higher than average levels.
"Unusually high temperatures in September and October last year, along with heavy rainfall, damaged crops during the harvest season, while winter snowstorms and cold snaps stunted growth in major farming regions, including South Jeolla Province and Jeju Island," an official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained.
The official added that such extreme weather conditions have reduced vegetable harvests by 12 to 18 percent, while also driving up prices for cabbage and carrots by more than 40 percent compared to average years.
The ministry will also encourage private imports, allowing the aT to directly purchase imported cabbage and radishes for distribution to wholesale markets and kimchi producers.
Additionally, about 500 tons of government-stockpiled radishes will be supplied to major supermarkets at 70 percent of wholesale prices to help stabilize the market.
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