In South Korea, kimchi imports exceeded 300,000 tons last year, the highest since 2007, driven by a significant rise in cabbage prices due to a 4.3% drop in domestic production. This has led to a 44.9% increase in cabbage prices compared to 2023, with most imports coming from China. The resulting trade imbalance has raised concerns about the sustainability of local kimchi production, as many processing plants struggle with increased costs. Small and medium-sized companies are particularly affected, lacking storage facilities and forced to purchase cabbage at high market prices. Despite record exports, the domestic kimchi industry faces challenges due to its dependence on imports to satisfy demand.