In response to anticipated increases in cabbage cultivation area for fall and winter due to last year's price surge, Jeonnam Gwangju is proactively adjusting cultivation areas to prevent oversupply and price declines.
On August 17, Jeonnam Gwangju announced a 'cabbage crop conversion project' targeting 400 hectares in the major cabbage-producing regions of Haenam and Jindo.
The total project budget is 18 billion won. Farmers who have cultivated cabbage in the past two years (2024-2025) can receive 4.5 million won per hectare if they switch to other crops such as oats or buckwheat, or leave the land fallow.
Support is limited to a maximum of 2 hectares per farm, and those converting to crops with potential supply instability, such as garlic, onions, or green onions, will be excluded from the program. Interested farmers must apply at their local township or village office by the 20th.
This initiative comes as a response to the likelihood of increased cabbage cultivation area this year following last year's price rise.
According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute's August forecast, the intended cultivation area for fall cabbage nationwide is expected to increase by 2.7% compared to last year, while winter cabbage is projected to rise by 3.6%. If the expanded cultivation area leads to an actual increase in production, the possibility of price declines due to oversupply cannot be ruled out.
Cabbage, along with other open-field vegetables like garlic and onions, experiences significant price fluctuations based on cultivation area and weather conditions. Particularly, when prices rise in one year, it often leads to increased cultivation the following year, resulting in a cycle of oversupply and price drops.
A decline in kimchi consumption is also cited as a reason for the need to manage cabbage supply. Per capita kimchi consumption in South Korea decreased from 39.9 kg in 2017 to 36.5 kg in 2022. Additionally, the tradition of communal kimjang (kimchi-making) is shifting from large family gatherings to smaller family units, altering cabbage consumption patterns.
Cabbage farmers in the Haenam and Jindo regions have noted that last year's crop conversion support program contributed to stabilizing cabbage prices, and they believe this year's initiative is necessary given the expected increase in cultivation area.
Jeong Won-jin, head of the Food Horticulture Division in Jeonnam Gwangju, stated, "We expect the crop conversion project to help stabilize cabbage supply and support farm management. We will also work to promote the consumption of pickled cabbage and Namdo kimchi to secure stable markets for farmers."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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