South Korea's government has committed to supplying 24,000 tonnes of cabbage from national reserves to support the upcoming peak season for kimchi production, attributing the need to the impact of exceptionally hot weather on the cabbage harvest. Kimchi, a central component of South Korean cuisine, is traditionally made from a variety of vegetables, with cabbage being a primary ingredient. In response to concerns over potential supply disruptions due to the "unusually high temperatures" affecting crops, particularly cabbage and radish, the agriculture ministry has announced a 10% increase in the release of contractually grown cabbages into the market compared to last year.
The preferred variety of cabbage for kimchi, known as napa cabbage, is best grown in cooler climates, often in mountainous areas where summer temperatures are generally below 25 degrees Celsius. However, this year, South Korea experienced its highest average temperatures for June to August since records began in 1973, leading to a significant rise in wholesale cabbage prices. Despite this, prices have started to decrease and are expected to continue to fall as the harvest improves. The government is also enhancing its stockpiling technology and expanding storage facilities, maintaining an emergency reserve of 1,000 tonnes of cabbage to mitigate any further supply issues. This initiative comes amid warnings from some studies that climate change could severely impact napa cabbage cultivation in South Korea.
Source: Reuters