|
If the rice isn’t sold, the autumn harvest may be scaled back.
June 20, 2009
|
|
| By Lee Chan-ho, Lee Hai-suk Workers at local warehouses and rice processing complexes across the country are wondering what to do with mounting rice stores due to an extremely bountiful harvest and a ban on exports of the staple to North Korea, according to Nonghyup, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, yesterday. Rice production last year amounted to 4.8 million tons, 9.9 percent more than 4.4 million tons in 2007. However, per capita consumption of rice has decreased steadily in each of the last eight years. Last year, per capita consumption was 75.8 kilograms, 1.1 kilograms lower than two years ago and down 22 percent from the 96.9 kilograms consumed in 1999. As a result, Nonghyup said, by the end of last month the amount of rice stored in warehouses nationwide had reached 909,700 tons, an increase of 53 percent from 592,542 at the same time in 2008. A total of 34 rice-processing facilities in South Jeolla, which dedicates more of its land to rice cultivation than any other province, had 188,400 tons of the crop stored late last month. That number is more than one-fifth of the 901,000 tons of rice produced in the province for all of last year. North Gyeongsang also experienced a 90 percent surge in rice stores at 91,652 tons from last year’s 47,272. With this increase in supply, the price of rice has declined. The market price of an 80-kilogram (176-pound) sack in North Jeolla was 150,160 won ($118) as of June 5, down from 154,392 won in 2008. In North Gyeongsang, the price fell by 2.8 percent, from 162,416 won last year to 157,908 won this year. “If the large rice stocks fail to be disposed of before the rice harvest starts in autumn, rice processing complexes will have no choice but to lower the volume of new rice for sale. Farm households will suffer as well,” said Kim Yong-bok, head of Nonghyup’s South Jeolla branch. Therefore, local governments and branches of Nonghyup are trying to sell the rice as quickly as possible. Recently, the South Jeolla provincial government invited 32 elementary school principals in Seoul to the province to introduce them to the agricultural methods used and offer a tour of an eco-friendly farming area, so as to promote the serving of high-quality rice in schools. Public officials from provincial offices and subordinate agencies are also starting rice-selling campaigns. North Jeolla Province planned to strengthen its support for increased rice exports by subsidizing shipping costs and recommending the product to foreign buyers. Nonghyup’s local branches in provinces such as Gangwon and North Chungcheong are promoting rice sales on the southern resort island of Jeju, where rice production is impossible. By Lee Chan-ho, Lee Hai-suk [smartpower@joongang.co.kr] |
|
