Tridge summary
As the shipment of this year's early-ripe onion started in earnest, the price of domestic onion fell while the price of imported onion soared, raising complaints from shippers. On the one hand, there is a growing voice of criticism for the government's hasty supply and demand policy, saying that it is the result of the decline in competitiveness of domestic onions due to excessive early shipment inducement. On the 17th, at Garak Market in Seoul, onions were traded at an average of 1,327 won per 1kg product. It is still 47.9% higher than the average price in April (897 won), but considering that it was traded at an average of 1,700 to 1,800 won a month ago, the short-term decline is excessive, raising concerns. It is analyzed that the early shipment of early-seasoned onions had a big impact on such a drop in domestic prices. On March 16, as early onions were shipped from Jeju, the onion price, which had been marching high, fell to the 1,200-1,300 won range. At the beginning of this month, it rose to the 1,700 won level due to supply and demand uncertainty, but then plunged again and recently sank to the 1,300 won level. Yoo Seung-chul, an auctioneer with Garak Market's Donghwa Office, analyzed, "The stock of stored onions from last year was depleted, and the price of domestic onions was strong, but starting from the shipment of early onions, they are showing a steep decline." The problem is that while domestic onion prices fell, imported onion prices steadily increased. Since mid-March, when domestic early-cooked onions were shipped, foreign-made onions have continued to rise, soaring to 1,900-2,000 won in the first half of this month. On the 17th, it was traded at 1,886 won, 42% higher than domestic products. Shippers are voicing their concerns, saying that if imported onion prices are higher than domestic ones, Chinese onion imports may continue. In particular, critics say that the price reversal is the result of weakening domestic competitiveness due to the government's unreasonable early shipment inducement policy. Oh Chang-ryong, president of the Jeju Branch of the National Onion Producers Association, said, “The government induced early shipments of early-ripened onions last month in the name of price stability, and onions that had not yet grown were shipped to the market. He said, “After doubts about the marketability of domestic onions arose, Chinese onions…