Poor growth of cucumber varieties causes farmers to suffer; companies blame the weather.

Published Oct 2, 2025

Tridge summary

[Korean Farmers' Newspaper Reporter Lee Woo-jung] "We started growing cucumbers to cover labor costs, but this year, we ended up spending even more on labor." For farmers, labor costs are always a concern. Because in agriculture, revenue is generated only when agricultural products are harvested and sold, but labor costs need to be paid continuously every month. To solve this problem, Son Dal-yong, the chairman of the Taebaek Apple Research Association, started growing cucumbers, a crop that plays a significant role in July to September, in Sangsam-dong, Taebaek City, five years ago. Chairman Son Dal-yong, on the recommendation of a nursery, conducted the planting of C variety cucumbers developed by D Company in early June. However, the growth was poor and the plants wilted.

Original content

The nursery recommended planting D Company's variety, but this year's yield fell by 10%. While cucumbers from other companies are growing normally, cucumbers from the same company but different varieties are also experiencing the same issue. The cause remains unknown, and the company only repeats that "there is no problem." "I'm just putting in production costs without any return," he lamented. "I started growing cucumbers to cover labor costs, but this year, I ended up spending even more on labor costs." For farmers, labor costs are always a headache. Because in agriculture, revenue comes only when agricultural products are harvested and sold, but labor costs must be paid continuously every month. To solve this problem, Son Dal-yong, chairman of the Taebaek Apple Research Association, started growing cucumbers, a crop that plays a filial role from July to September, in Sangsami-dong, Taebaek-si, five years ago. Chairman Son Dal-yong planted cucumbers developed by D Company's C ...

Source: Agrinet