South Korea to supply 163,000 tons of Chuseok staples and expand discounts

South Korea will release unusually large supplies of holiday foods before Chuseok as the government seeks to reduce pressure on household shopping bills.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported the plan at a cabinet meeting. It covers 13 staples, including apples, pears, cabbage, radishes, onions, garlic, zucchini, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, chestnuts and jujubes.

Supplies will rise to 1.6 times normal levels for the three weeks before Chuseok. Agricultural products will increase 2.6 times through contract farming by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation and government stockpiles. Livestock supplies will rise 1.3 times through weekend slaughterhouse operations and expanded cooperative shipments. Forest products will increase ninefold using stocks held by forestry cooperatives.

The government will also provide 59 billion won in discounts across agricultural and livestock products, described as the largest such support package to date. Seo Jun-han, a ministry official, said authorities would pay particular attention to livestock products because their recent price increases had caused public concern.

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We will pay particular attention to expanding supplies of livestock products, whose prices have recently risen and caused public concern.