This year, barley production increased for the first time in six years...garlic and onion production also increased.

(Sejong=Yonhap News) Reporter Ahn Chae-won = This year, the production of barley and garlic and onions has increased compared to last year.

According to the '2025 Barley, Garlic, and Onion Cultivation Area and Crop Production Volume Survey Results' released by the Statistics Korea on the 30th, this year's barley production volume is 92,000 tons, a 30.1% (21,000 tons) increase from the previous year.

The increase in barley production volume compared to the previous year is the first in six years since 2019.

Barley production has decreased for five consecutive years since 2020, falling to 71,000 tons last year.

This year, the cultivation area expanded by 8.3% (1,936 hectares) to 25,234 hectares due to the rise in sowing prices compared to the previous year, leading to an increase in production.

Additionally, favorable weather conditions during the early growth period (January to March) contributed to a 20.1% (61 kg) increase in production to 365 kg per 10 ares (1 are = 100 square meters).

Garlic production volume increased by 8.8% (25,000 tons) to 310,000 tons compared to the previous year (285,000 tons).

However, the cultivation area decreased by 1.5% (343 hectares) to 22,947 hectares due to factors such as labor shortages.

Nevertheless, favorable rainfall and sunlight during the early growth period (February to March) led to a 10.4% (128 kg) increase in production to 1,351 kg per 10 ares.

Onion production volume increased by 0.5% (6,000 tons) to 118,200 tons compared to the previous year.

However, the cultivation area decreased by 5.0% (937 hectares) to 17,677 hectares due to factors such as price declines.

Nevertheless, favorable conditions during the early growth period (February to March) led to a 5.9% (370 kg) increase in production to 6,684 kg per 10 ares.

chaewon@yna.co.kr