Hapcheon County Begins First Procurement of 2026 Public Stockpile Rice, Targeting 5,510 Tons

First auction ceremony held on the 11th at Saenambu Agricultural Cooperative's agricultural products distribution center in Samga-myeon
Procurement through December 3, including floury rice and unprocessed rice; varieties include Yeonghojinmi and Haedambyeo
Purchase price to be set in December based on the nationwide average rice price during the harvest season

Hapcheon County in Gyeongsangnam-do held a first auction ceremony for its 2026 public stockpile rice and began full-scale rice procurement.

The county said it held the "2026 Public Stockpile Rice First Auction Ceremony" on the 11th at the Saenambu Agricultural Cooperative's agricultural products distribution center in Samga-myeon.

About 40 people attended, including Hapcheon County Governor Kim Yuncheol, Hapcheon County Council Chair Shin Myeonggi, Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council member Lee Pilho, county council members, Lee Chaesul, head of the Hapcheon Office of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, Yeom Buyeong, head of the NH Nonghyup Hapcheon County branch, other officials from related organizations, and local residents.

[Photo courtesy of Hapcheon County] Hapcheon County Mayor Kim Yun-cheol, Hapcheon County Council Chair Shin Myeong-gi, and other attendees pose for a commemorative photo at the opening auction ceremony for government-designated rice stockpiles, held at the Saenambu Nonghyup Agricultural Products Distribution Center in Samga-myeon on the 11th.

Attendees reviewed this year's public stockpile rice procurement plans and wished for safety during the purchasing process and smooth procurement.

According to Hapcheon County, this year's public stockpile rice procurement will continue through December 3, with plans to purchase a total of 5,510 tons, including floury rice and unprocessed rice.

The county said this year's procurement volume is lower than last year's, but is the largest among the cities and counties in Gyeongsangnam-do.

The rice varieties to be purchased are Yeonghojinmi and Haedambyeo. The purchase price will be determined by converting the nationwide average rice price during the harvest season, from October to December 2026, as surveyed by Statistics Korea, into the price of unhulled rice.

The final purchase price is expected to be set in December, and farmers will be paid according to the government's criteria for determining the purchase price.

Public stockpile rice procurement is a system through which the government secures a set volume of rice to stabilize food supply and demand and prepare for emergencies. Each year, procurement is carried out based on set volumes and varieties for each region.

Hapcheon County plans to procure public stockpile rice according to the established schedule and work with relevant organizations to ensure farmers do not face difficulties during the purchasing process.

Hapcheon County Governor Kim Yuncheol said, "I am grateful for the hard work of all the farmers who have reaped the rewards of their harvest despite difficult conditions." He added, "We will spare no administrative support to ensure agriculture remains a strong and steadfast foundation of our region."

Meanwhile, Hapcheon County plans to provide information on the public stockpile rice procurement schedule, quality inspections, and other related procedures, while continuing on-site management and support for farmers until procurement is complete.

For public stockpile rice procurement to conclude smoothly, it is important to clearly communicate the procurement schedule and quality inspection standards, while ensuring convenience for farmers delivering their rice and fairness throughout the purchasing process.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.