Surge Of Vegetable Price… `Wrinkling` Living Expenses

Intense rain has raised the prices of vegetables, including radishes and white cabbages. However, the prices are expected to move up and down in August 2001, depending on the items.

According to `Agriculture forecast` of Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) on July 30, the prices of white cabbages, radishes and onions will drop because of the increased consignment quantity, while the prices of pepper and garlic will be strong.

Based on Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)’s report, a 5-ton truck radish in Seoul Karak Agricultural and Marine Products Market was sold at 6.65 million won, which is 250,000 won higher than the previous day’s price. It is more than 3 times higher than usual (1.63 million won).

A 5-ton truck white cabbage was sold at 3.3 million won, which was increased by 100,000 won. The price of cucumber (20 kg) was 29,000 won, which was increased by 9,500 won and all the prices of cabbage, pepper, pumpkin, green onion, watermelon, melon, and tomato went up. KREI’s predictions are as follows;

- Vegetables

As for highland white cabbages, the cultivation area was reduced by 4 percent compared with last year and the consignment amount is expected to drop by 2 percent. However, while the amount of Spring white cabbages was small due to dry spell, the total consignment amount will increase so that the price will drop.

As for highland radishes, the consignment amount will be reduced. But since the amount of flatland Summer radishes in the areas of Kochang, Youngam and Dangjin has increased, the price will drop after mid-August.

Pepper will be strong because the cultivation area was reduced due to the dry spell. Since garlic crops were small, the wholesale price will rise up to around 1,500 won per 1 kg.

- Fruits

Since the cultivation area of apple dropped by 9 percent and the crops of Sukaru species, which usually starts to be on sale from August, has decreased by 18 percent, the apple price will go up. As for pear, the cultivation area has dropped by 2 percent but the growth condition is so good that the total crops will increase by 11 percent. Thus, the pear price will be almost the same as usual or decrease slightly.

Kim Sang-Chul sckim007@donga.com