North Gyeongsang Province is launching a sweeping set of supply-stabilization measures and consumer-promotion events to support onion farmers hit by falling prices driven by rising output and sluggish demand.
Provincial onion output this year is estimated to reach 175,000 metric tons, up 5.7 percent from a year earlier, as favorable weather boosted yields, the provincial government said Friday.
Per-capita annual consumption, however, has continued to decline. As of June 23, the wholesale price of onions at Garak Market stood at 689 won per kilogram — down 32.2 percent from the average of 1,016 won.
In response, the province held an onion sales promotion event Friday at the forecourt of the provincial government building, offering onions to provincial office staff, assembly members and agricultural cooperative employees at 30 percent below market price.
The province's official agricultural products shopping mall, Gohyang Jangter Saiso, is running a 30 percent discount sale through July 10, and Baro Market is set to hold a special farm-direct discount event July 11-12.
"This event is a platform for solidarity — to ease the heartache of farmers who, despite a bumper harvest brought by good weather, face having to plow their onions back into the ground because prices have collapsed, and to give them hope," North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo said. "I hope everyone will actively join in promoting onion consumption."
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
