South Korea: Decrease in intention to make kimchi again this year, increase in demand for packaged kimchi

The Korea Rural Economic Institute (President Han Doo-bong) announced ‘2023 kimchi intention and major vegetable supply outlook’ at the Haenam Hwawon Nonghyup Kimchi Factory on the 13th. According to the Korea Agricultural Research Institute, this year, the percentage of people willing to make their own kimchi decreased compared to the previous year. Additionally, as kimchi consumption decreases, cabbage purchases are also expected to decrease. The Korea Agricultural Research Institute conducted an online survey targeting 600 household consumers nationwide from the 4th to the 13th of last month. The survey contents included consumer-centered kimchi demand for the 2023 kimchi season, kimchi procurement patterns, and kimchi vegetable purchasing patterns. As a result of the survey, the rate of making kimchi directly in 2023 was 63.3%, a decrease from the previous year (65.0%), while the intention to purchase packaged kimchi was 29.5%, an increase from last year (25.7%). The main ...