South Jeolla-Gwangju leads nation in rice output and paddy acreage this year

The South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Integrated City topped the nation in both paddy cultivation area and projected rice output this year, according to a Ministry of Statistics survey released Tuesday.

The region's paddy cultivation area reached 148,349 hectares, the largest in the country, while projected rice production is forecast to hit 738,159 metric tons — the highest among all cities and provinces nationwide.

That figure accounts for about 21 percent of the nation's total projected rice output.

Nationally, projected rice production stands at 3.518 million metric tons, down 21,000 metric tons, or 0.6 percent, from the previous year.

Total paddy cultivation area fell 1.1 percent to 670,069 hectares, but projected output per 10 ares rose 0.5 percent to 525 kilograms, driven in part by improved weather conditions.

The city plans to proceed without disruption with government public stockpile rice purchases during this year's harvest season, while monitoring farmgate rice prices and grain procurement trends to help stabilize supply and demand.

The city will also analyze actual harvest volumes, demand levels, and inventory and price trends, and will recommend additional government purchases or other supply-stabilization measures if signs of oversupply or falling rice prices emerge.

"We will carry out public stockpile purchases and farmgate retail management without a hitch, and work closely with relevant agencies to ease the burden on farmers and ensure stable rice supply and demand," said Son Myeong-do, the city's director general of agriculture, livestock and food.