Korea's rice production projected to fall 0.6% in 2026: data ministry
SEJONG — Korea's production of rice, a key staple in the country's diet, is estimated to decline 0.6 percent in 2026 due to a reduction in cultivation area, data showed Thursday. Rice output is expected to total 3.51 million tons, down from the previous year's 3.53 million tons, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The projected decline comes as the area under rice cultivation fell…
South Korea's rice production is anticipated to decline by 0.6% in 2026, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The country's rice output for the year is expected to be 3.51 million tons, a decrease from the previous year's 3.53 million tons. This projected drop is attributed to a 1.1% reduction in cultivated rice areas, which have fallen from 678,000 hectares to 670,000 hectares this year.
The decline in cultivation area is a result of government efforts to adjust rice production, including initiatives to encourage farmers to switch to alternative crops.
Geographically, the decline in rice production is spread across several regions. South Jeolla Province and Gwangju together are projected to produce 738,000 tons of rice this year, while South Chungcheong Province is expected to yield 689,000 tons and North Jeolla Province 533,000 tons. Despite rice being a traditional staple food in Korea, its consumption has been on a downward trend due to shifting dietary habits and a growing preference for wheat-based alternatives. The final figures from the data ministry are set to be released in November.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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