The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has announced proactive measures to address supply instability in agricultural and livestock products caused by animal epidemics and weather anomalies. Weekly supply monitoring meetings, chaired by the Vice Minister, will identify and respond swiftly to problematic items. On January 12, the first meeting was held at the Government Complex Sejong, led by Director Jeong-Hoon Park, focusing on key items such as rice, cabbage, radish, garlic, apples, tangerines, strawberries, Korean beef, pork, and eggs. Preventive actions, including greenhouse reinforcement and enhanced crop management in response to heavy snowfall forecasts, were reviewed for effectiveness.
MAFRA confirmed minor damages in some horticultural facilities but assessed the overall impact as limited. The ministry plans timely recovery measures should further damages be reported. Supply checks revealed that most agricultural products remain stable, with vegetable crops like cabbage and radish recovering and expected to be supplied steadily during the holiday season. Fruit items such as tangerines are also maintaining stability due to increased winter shipments. Apples and strawberries are projected to stabilize as shipments rise in mid-January. Garlic prices have increased due to quality deterioration in stored 2025 garlic, but government stock releases are curbing further price hikes.
Potato prices have risen due to poor autumn harvests and reduced storage, but daily releases of reserve stocks and anticipated increases in greenhouse potato shipments from March are expected to restore supply. In the livestock sector, prices for eggs, chicken, and Korean beef are higher than last year and the average, mainly due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) and reduced livestock numbers. The government aims to minimize preventive culling, expand supply for the holiday season, and support discounts through self-help funds. Selected importers will introduce trial imports of fresh eggs, which will undergo quarantine and clearance before market release in early February. Efforts are also underway to expedite the introduction of processed egg tariff quotas.
Processed foods and dining out have seen price increases due to high exchange rates, rising international raw material costs, and increased management expenses such as labor and electricity. However, the rate of increase is slowing. Ahead of the Lunar New Year, MAFRA will hold a meeting with the food industry on January 22 to strengthen communication and stabilize prices in processed food and dining sectors. Director Jeong-Hoon Park emphasized the importance of continuous field inspections and supply management in collaboration with related agencies to mitigate price volatility during winter and the holiday season. The ministry remains committed to ensuring stable supply through timely interventions and enhanced crop management.