South Korea secures record 27,000 tons of summer cabbage to guard against heat, floods

The government has secured a record 27,000 metric tons of summer cabbage to head off supply disruptions caused by heat waves and heavy rain, while introducing an import income insurance scheme for the first time this year to protect farmers against falling output and prices.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Minister Song Mi-ryeong visited a highland vegetable growing complex on Maebongsan mountain in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, on Wednesday to inspect summer cabbage growth conditions and review supply stabilization measures.

Cabbage grows best in cool temperatures of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius, and summer cabbage — which begins reaching markets in July — can only be cultivated at highland areas above 400 meters above sea level. Output tends to fluctuate sharply because the crop is highly vulnerable to heat waves and concentrated downpours.

Through a crop stable production and supply support program launched for the first time this year, the ministry is providing farmers with pesticides, mulching film, 2.5 million seedling reserves, joint pest-control teams and water supplies for drought preparedness. Pest control and pesticide distribution targeting cabbage cyst nematode damage were also carried out more than a month earlier than last year.

The government is also piloting a summer cabbage import income insurance program to help stabilize farm management. The scheme guarantees up to 85% of average annual income when earnings fall due to reduced output or lower prices, and applications are open through this month.

To prepare for potential supply shortfalls, the government increased its spring cabbage stockpile to 15,000 tons — more than 15% above last year's level — and contracted 5,000 tons of summer cabbage early ahead of the Chuseok peak season. Combined with 20,000 tons in government reserves and 7,000 tons held at private distribution-control facilities, total available supply stands at 27,000 tons. The government plans to release stocks to the market immediately if shortages arise.

The ministry also plans to supply about 3,000 tons from government stockpiles to small kimchi manufacturers with limited storage capacity between July and September to ease their raw-material procurement burden.

"Farmers are struggling amid sluggish vegetable consumption and falling prices," Minister Song said. "We will work actively with relevant agencies to ensure summer cabbage is produced stably and that farmers receive adequate income."