[Photo by Yonhap]
Garlic planting area has increased for the first time in three years as prices rose, while onion acreage edged down slightly.
According to the National Data Agency’s “2026 Garlic and Onion Planting Area Survey” released on the 29th, this year’s garlic planting area totaled 24,170 hectares, up 5.3% (1,223 hectares) from 22,947 hectares a year earlier.
Garlic acreage had been declining since 2023, but rebounded this year, a shift the agency attributed to last year’s price gains.
By province and city, the largest garlic-growing areas were South Gyeongsang (7,857 hectares), North Gyeongsang (5,273), South Chungcheong (3,768), South Jeolla (3,023) and Daegu (874).
Onion planting area came to 17,609 hectares, down 0.4% (68 hectares) from 17,677 hectares last year, marking a second straight annual decline. The agency said onion acreage tends to rise and fall each year with price swings, and this year’s change was limited.
By province and city, onion acreage was led by South Jeolla (6,072 hectares), South Gyeongsang (3,895), North Gyeongsang (2,225), North Jeolla (1,977) and South Chungcheong (1,296).
The agency said higher garlic prices last year encouraged expanded planting, while onion acreage was adjusted only modestly due to factors including prices and weather conditions.
The preliminary figures are based on a sample survey conducted from March 16 to April 10 and will be finalized in July when the garlic and onion production survey results are released.
According to the National Data Agency’s “2026 Garlic and Onion Planting Area Survey” released on the 29th, this year’s garlic planting area totaled 24,170 hectares, up 5.3% (1,223 hectares) from 22,947 hectares a year earlier.
Garlic acreage had been declining since 2023, but rebounded this year, a shift the agency attributed to last year’s price gains.
By province and city, the largest garlic-growing areas were South Gyeongsang (7,857 hectares), North Gyeongsang (5,273), South Chungcheong (3,768), South Jeolla (3,023) and Daegu (874).
Onion planting area came to 17,609 hectares, down 0.4% (68 hectares) from 17,677 hectares last year, marking a second straight annual decline. The agency said onion acreage tends to rise and fall each year with price swings, and this year’s change was limited.
By province and city, onion acreage was led by South Jeolla (6,072 hectares), South Gyeongsang (3,895), North Gyeongsang (2,225), North Jeolla (1,977) and South Chungcheong (1,296).
The agency said higher garlic prices last year encouraged expanded planting, while onion acreage was adjusted only modestly due to factors including prices and weather conditions.
The preliminary figures are based on a sample survey conducted from March 16 to April 10 and will be finalized in July when the garlic and onion production survey results are released.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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