Agriculture Ministry to Offer Discounts on Rice, Eggs, and Cabbage Until July 1

 In recognition of the month dedicated to national defense and veterans, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has announced an extension of discounts on agricultural products. Discounts on rice, eggs, and cabbage will continue until July 1, with melons set to be added to the discount list starting mid-June.

On June 8, the ministry held its 19th supply and demand situation meeting, chaired by Park Jeong-hoon, Director of Food Policy, to review the supply and price trends of various items.

The review indicated that retail prices for outdoor vegetables are currently lower than last year. However, with recent temperatures rising faster than usual, wholesale prices for some items are beginning to increase, which may eventually affect retail prices.

Onions, which had seen significant price drops, are now stabilizing at levels similar to last year, thanks to supply management efforts by the government and producer organizations. In contrast, spring vegetables like cabbage and radishes have maintained stable prices so far, but concerns about poor yields due to prolonged high temperatures have emerged.

In response, the ministry plans to continuously monitor weather and growth conditions, ready to take proactive measures if supply instability arises.

As summer approaches, concerns about livestock supply stability are also rising. The impact of livestock diseases has led to overall price increases for key animal products. According to the Livestock Quality Assessment Institute, the consumer prices for eggs (30-count carton) and chicken (1 kg) are currently 7,588 won and 6,657 won, respectively, marking increases of 7.8% and 17.7% compared to the same period last year.

The ministry anticipates that the supply of eggs will stabilize after July, following a significant increase in the number of chicks raised from January to April. However, it plans to extend the discount support period until July 1. To address concerns about rising chicken prices, the ministry will import and supply 17 million hatching eggs and implement a tariff quota for processed chicken to help distribute dining demand.

The government will continue discounts on rice, eggs, and cabbage until July 1. Additionally, the discount event for onions, cucumbers, zucchini, romaine lettuce, green onions, beef, and pork, which began on June 4, will run until June 17, with melons included in the discount list from June 11 to June 17.

Director Park stated, "To prepare for potential supply instability of agricultural products due to summer heat waves and heavy rainfall, we will activate a joint public-private task force for agricultural supply stability and respond proactively."