South Korean cabbage cultivation faces multiple challenges with the market relying on Chinese imports for supplementary production

South Korean cabbage cultivation faces multiple challenges. In recent years, extreme weather and land resource constraints have led to a sharp decline in production, forcing the market to rely on Chinese imports for supplementary production.

The following details the situation:
Sharp Production Decline and Market Dependence
In 2025, South Korea's summer cabbage planting area will drop to 3,418 hectares, a 23.9% decrease from previous years, with an expected production of 236,000 tons, a 24.5% year-on-year decrease. Domestic consumption will be approximately 2 million tons, of which 10% will be imported, with China accounting for 99% of these imports.

Reasons for the Reduced Planting Area
South Korea has only 1.528 million hectares of arable land (2024 data), a shortage of agricultural labor force, and a rapidly aging population (the average age of workers is 69). Recent high temperatures, droughts, and pests and diseases have further exacerbated the decline in production.

Import Dependence and Price Fluctuations
In 2024, South Korea imported cabbage from China five times. The government reduced the import tariff from 27% to zero to address the shortage. That year, the retail price of a head of cabbage reached 10,000 won (approximately 53 yuan), a 128% increase from 2023.

Countermeasures
The South Korean government has stockpiled 23,000 tons of cabbage and 2.5 million seedlings, planning to release them to the market during the holidays. However, due to land constraints, long-term reliance on imports is difficult to change.

If you require plant growth regulators for cabbage cultivation, please contact us at admin@agriplantgrowth.com and our technicians will provide detailed guidance.