S. Korea's rice production projected to fall 0.6 pct in 2026: data ministry

Seoul, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) - The South Korean government projects a 0.6 percent decline in rice production for 2026, according to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The expected output for the year is 3.51 million tons, a decrease from the previous year's figure of 3.53 million tons. The reduction is primarily attributed to a 1.1 percent drop in cultivated rice area, which fell to 670,000 hectares from 678,000 hectares in the previous year.

The government's efforts to adjust rice production, including incentives for farmers to shift to alternative crops, have contributed to this decrease. Regionally, South Jeolla Province and Gwangju are projected to produce a combined 738,000 tons of rice, South Chungcheong Province is expected to yield 689,000 tons, and North Jeolla Province will generate 533,000 tons.

Despite rice being a staple food for Koreans, consumption has been steadily declining due to changing dietary habits and a preference for alternatives like wheat-based foods. The final figures will be published in November.