"Scared of Expensive Napa Cabbage, Who Would Make Kimchi?"... Growing Burden of Kimjang Costs, What to Do?

Ahead of the kimchi-making season, on the 20th, a citizen shopping at a large supermarket in Seoul where the price of napa cabbage is soaring. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

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[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] As the prices of main kimchi ingredients such as baechu (napa cabbage) have risen sharply, the burden of kimchi-making costs this year is expected to increase further. The government announced plans to expand supply, including releasing stockpiles, to stabilize prices.

The cost of making kimchi continues to rise. According to data submitted by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) to Lee Dal-gon, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Fisheries Committee from the People Power Party, the price of kimchi-making ingredients (for a family of four) increased by 35% over the past five years, from 240,000 won in November 2017 to 324,000 won in December last year.

As a result, with the soaring prices of main kimchi ingredients such as baechu, the burden of kimchi-making costs this year is expected to grow even more. According to aT's Agricultural Products Distribution Information System (KAMIS) as of the previous day, the retail price of one head of baechu was 9,699 won, about 71% higher than a year ago (5,683 won). The retail price of one radish, another main ingredient, also rose about 90% from 2,009 won a year ago to 3,813 won. The retail price of 1kg of onions increased about 28% from 2,064 won a year ago to 2,633 won.

The cause of the baechu price increase is attributed to a decrease in production volume. The cultivation area has shrunk, and during the growing season, hot and humid weather persisted, while during the harvest season, adverse weather such as heatwaves and typhoons led to poor crop yields. Additionally, rising costs of raw materials such as pesticides, fertilizers, and fuel affected baechu prices.

Some consumers are turning to packaged kimchi as a reluctant choice, but the price of packaged kimchi is also rising. CJ CheilJedang raised the price of Bibigo kimchi by an average of 11% on the 15th, and Daesang plans to increase the price of Jongga-jip kimchi by an average of 9.8% starting next month.

Ahead of the kimchi-making season, on the 20th, a citizen shopping at a large supermarket in Seoul where the price of napa cabbage is soaring. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

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Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to continue expanding baechu supply. Following the release of 1,300 tons of baechu, including stockpiles, to the market last week, an additional 1,500 tons of stockpiled baechu will be supplied, totaling 3,000 tons, by early next month. The ministry also plans to announce supply and demand stabilization measures for major kimchi ingredients such as baechu, radish, chili peppers, and garlic around the end of next month in preparation for the kimchi-making season after November.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho also pledged to prepare measures to stabilize the supply of kimchi vegetables. On the 19th, presiding over the "Living Cost Price Inspection Meeting" at the Government Complex Sejong, Deputy Prime Minister Choo said, "Considering that the kimchi-making season begins in early November, we will ensure that the supply and prices of main kimchi ingredients remain as stable as possible."

The Korea Rural Economic Institute's Agricultural Outlook Center forecasts that baechu prices will begin to decline from the end of this month. With the full-scale shipment of second-crop baechu from mid-altitude regions, baechu prices are expected to fall to average levels from early next month. Additionally, with the shipment of autumn baechu starting from mid-next month, the supply of baechu for the kimchi-making season in early November is expected to be smooth.

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