South Korea opens national reserve, supports cabbage for people to make kimchi

Every year, the South Korean government announces measures to stabilize prices of cabbage, radish, red pepper powder and other key kimchi ingredients for the peak production season in November. This year, however, “abnormally high temperatures” have raised concerns about disruptions in the supply of cabbage and radish, prompting the government to increase the amount of contract-grown cabbage to boost market output by 10 percent from the previous year, the agriculture ministry said in a statement. Cabbage in Anbandeogi field in Gangneung, South Korea - Photo: Reuters The cabbage used in kimchi, or napa cabbage, thrives in cool climates and is usually grown in mountainous areas where summer temperatures typically drop below 25 degrees Celsius. However, the average June-August temperature in South Korea this year was the highest since national records began in 1973, with a record number of nights when temperatures remained at 25 degrees Celsius or higher, according to the Korea ...