The price of cabbage, a key ingredient in kimchi, is predicted to be over 40% more expensive this month compared to last year, according to the Korea Rural Economic Institute. This is due to an increase in wholesale prices, with cabbage costing 8,000 won per 10 kg, up 43.9 won from the same month last year. However, the Korea Agricultural Research Institute predicts that as cabbage shipments increase, prices will drop sequentially this month.