FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  August  22,  2025

For Coverage:  August  15  ~  22,  2025

Massive Wildfire Destroys Orchards, Farmers Struggle with Soaring Seedling Prices
[TheFarmers, 08-22-2025, Korean]
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250820500528
A massive wildfire in late March devastated over 1,800 hectares of apple orchards in Korea’s main production areas of North Gyeongsang Province, sparking a surge in seedling demand and pushing nursery prices sharply higher. Farmers report difficulties securing preferred varieties, rising deposits, and opportunistic practices by some nurseries, leading to instability in the seedling market. While disease-free potted seedlings and multi-leader trees are emerging as alternatives, growers are calling for stronger government intervention to stabilize prices and ensure fair trading.

Subtropical Crops Spread North, Now Thriving in Gangwon Province
[TheFarmers, 08-22-2025, Korean]
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250820500519
Subtropical crops such as mandarins and mangoes, once limited to Jeju or southern regions, are now being successfully cultivated in central and even northern parts of Korea due to climate change and advanced greenhouse technology. In Buyeo, Chungnam, farmers are harvesting high-sugar mandarins, while in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, local growers have begun producing premium domestic mangoes. Although heating costs remain a challenge in colder winters, consumer demand for novelty and local subtropical fruits is driving rapid expansion of this new farming trend.

Discussion forum on support measures for fruit farmers… "Import procedures for U.S. apples could be completed within 3 years 
[TheFarmers, 08-21-2025, Korean] 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250820500549 
The government announced that it will continue consultations with the United States to improve agricultural quarantine procedures, sparking growing concerns that this could serve as a pretext to expedite imports of U.S. apples and other products. In this context, the agricultural sector is on high alert over the possibility that unfavorable negotiation outcomes for Korean agriculture might be disclosed at the upcoming South Korea-U.S. summit. On the 19th, an emergency National Assembly forum titled “Response to U.S.-Led Agricultural Quarantine Improvements and Support Measures for Fruit Farmers” was held. 

Rice prices show the biggest seasonal fluctuation in 7 years 
[TheFarmers, 08-21-2025, Korean] 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250820500548 
The seasonal fluctuation in rice prices at production areas has reached its highest level in seven years. Although the government plans to supply 30,000 tons of government-managed rice stocks to rice processing complexes (RPCs) and other facilities, experts expect that this will have little impact on the rising rice prices. According to the ‘August Rice Price Trends’ recently released by the GSnJ Institute, the rice price at production areas in July this year was 51,843 won for a 20kg bag, up 2.9% (1,452 won) from June. 

K-Food Exports to the U.S. Fall for First Time in 26 Months as Trump Tariff Impact Materializes
[YonhapNews, 08-20-2025, Korean]
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250819167000030?section=economy/all
Korean agricultural food exports to the U.S. fell in July for the first time in over two years, with key processed products such as ramen, snacks, sauces, and ginseng seeing declines due to tariffs and rising costs. The slowdown reflects the impact of trade policies, including Trump-era tariffs and anticipated reciprocal duties, on the competitiveness of Korean agri-food exports. Despite overall export growth in the first half of the year, the July drop highlights ongoing risks to Korea’s agricultural export sector and the need for policy support.

President Lee: The Five Bills Vetoed by Former President Yoon Have Been Promulgated… Annual Fiscal Burden in the Trillions of Won 
[Hankyung Economy, 08-19-2025, Korean] 
https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025081867151 
On August 18, President Lee officially promulgated the Grain Management Act and four other previously vetoed bills after the Democratic Party reintroduced and passed them in the National Assembly. The implementation of the Grain Management Act is expected to involve significant additional annual government spending, raising concerns over fiscal impact. This move reflects the administration’s commitment to advancing key policy priorities despite earlier opposition from the previous government.

Uncontrolled Onion Imports… Distributors ‘Boycott Domestic Produce Shipments’ 
[TheFarmers, 08-19-2025, Korean] 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250818500646 
An extremely unusual situation occurred on the 15th, when four fruit and vegetable wholesale corporations at Seoul’s Garak Market simultaneously halted auctions for imported onions for a full day. This was in response to domestic onion distributors declaring that they would boycott shipments of domestic onions if auctions of imported onions did not stop. However, onion auctions resumed after just one day, and from the 17th, distributors began withholding domestic onions for three days, causing turmoil in the onion market. 

Korean Cabbage Prices Surpass 7,000 Won per Head Amid Heatwaves and Heavy Rains, Soaring 1.5 Times in a Month 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250818153300030?section=industry/agriculture 
Napa cabbage (Korean baechu) prices in Korea have surged past 7,000 won per head, climbing 52 percent in just one month due to heatwaves and heavy rains that reduced crop quality. While retail prices continue to rise, wholesale prices have recently fallen as cooler weather boosted shipments and government reserves were released, suggesting potential stabilization ahead. Meanwhile, other produce showed mixed trends, with radish prices falling, tomato prices rising, and peach prices remaining significantly higher than last year.

Government to release 30,000 tons of public reserve rice… Producers fear falling rice prices during harvest season 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250813500695 
The Korean government plans to stabilize rice prices by lending 30,000 tons of government-managed rice to processing facilities (RPCs), but producer groups strongly oppose the move, arguing it will pressure market prices downward. Farmers’ associations claim that releasing rice right before the harvest season is effectively the same as dumping supply, leading to price suppression. They also criticized the agriculture minister’s remark about keeping rice at 60,000 won per 20kg bag, saying it appears like arbitrary government intervention that could hurt farm incomes.

Aftermath of Heat Waves and Heavy Rain…Plum, Soybean, and Powdered Rice Growth at Risk
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250813500670
Prolonged heat waves and heavy rainfall this summer have caused growth problems in plums, rice soybeans, and powdered rice, with sunscald, internal browning, waterlogging, and pre-harvest sprouting affecting yield and quality. The Rural Development Administration (RDA) is providing targeted support, including shading, irrigation, fertilizer management, and alert services, to help farmers mitigate damage.

Prolonged Heat Wave Drives Surge in Apple Spider Mite Infestations
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250815500057
Prolonged high temperatures have sharply increased spider mite infestations in major apple-producing regions, with recent surveys showing significantly higher incidence and density compared to last year. The Rural Development Administration warned that unchecked outbreaks could reduce apple yields and quality, urging farmers to strengthen monitoring and apply targeted, rotating pest control measures.

New RDA Chief Lee Seung-don: Expanding Agricultural Use of AI-Based Advanced Technologies 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250817026500055?section=industry/agriculture 
Lee Seung-don, the newly appointed Administrator of the Rural Development Administration (RDA), pledged to expand the use of AI-based advanced technologies in agriculture and deliver tangible results for farmers. He announced plans to promote the commercialization of smart greenhouse models and an integrated greenhouse management platform, secure and share plant genetic resources, and foster green bio and food tech industries. In addition, he emphasized strengthening national competitiveness by introducing climate-resilient crops and technologies, addressing rural aging and labor shortages, enhancing farm safety, and expanding exports of K-food and agricultural technologies.