Rice production in South Korea

Rice fields on the outskirts of Namwon

Rice production in South Korea is important for the food supply in the country, with rice being a common part of the Korean diet. In 2009, South Korea produced 3,899,036 metric tonnes (4,297,951 tons) of rice.[1]
Rice is the most valuable crop in South Korea.[2] However, as noted by Donald S. Macdonald, rising wage levels and land values have made it expensive to produce. Rice represented about 90 percent of total grain production and over 40 percent of farm income; the 1988 rice crop was 6.5 million tonnes.[2] Rice was imported in the 1980s, but the amount depended on the success of domestic harvests. The government's rice support program reached a record of US$1.9 billion in 1986 compared to $890 million in 1985. By raising procurement prices by 14 percent to the 1986 level, Seoul achieved a rice price structure that was about five times that of the world market in 1987.[2]

In 2015, South Korea's rice consumption hit a record low of 65.1 kg per person, while flour consumption was the highest since 2006 at 33.6 kg, according to industry and official data.[3] The South Korean government, which is subsidizing rice production and storage, has accumulated a large stockpile of rice.[4]

## Production figures

[edit]

### Rice Production in South Korea

[edit]

Rice Production in 2019~2021[5] | 2019  | 2020  | 2021

|
|
|

Administrative districts  | Cultivation
area (ha)  | Production per
1,000 m2(kg)  | Total
production
(t)  | Cultivation
area (ha)  | Production per
1,000 m2(kg)  | Total
production
(t)  | Cultivation
area (ha)  | Production per
1,000 m2(kg)  | Total
production
(t)
Seoul  | 123  | 488  | 602  | 121  | 464  | 563  | 187  | 512  | 958
Busan  | 2,330  | 510  | 11,880  | 2,307  | 446  | 10,281  | 2,169  | 531  | 11,523
Daegu Metropolitan City  | 2,752  | 498  | 13,704  | 2,919  | 485  | 14,149  | 2,847  | 523  | 14,895
Incheon Metropolitan City  | 10,233  | 491  | 50,268  | 10,375  | 482  | 50,006  | 11,747  | 507  | 59,550
Gwangju Metropolitan City  | 5,020  | 491  | 24,644  | 4,966  | 457  | 22,696  | 4,910  | 510  | 25,047
Daejeon Metropolitan City  | 1,074  | 504  | 5,412  | 945  | 478  | 4,515  | 1,131  | 533  | 6,025
Ulsan Metropolitan City  | 3,897  | 466  | 18,146  | 3,907  | 456  | 17,798  | 3,793  | 497  | 18,837
Sejong City  | 3,943  | 532  | 20,980  | 3,891  | 508  | 19,754  | 3,340  | 547  | 18,281
Gyeonggi-do  | 76,642  | 488  | 373,740  | 75,127  | 464  | 348,221  | 74,717  | 512  | 382,680
Gangwon-do  | 28,640  | 527  | 150,901  | 28,405  | 448  | 127,387  | 28,903  | 538  | 155,501
Chungcheongbuk-do  | 33,247  | 523  | 173,916  | 32,745  | 491  | 160,623  | 33,403  | 523  | 174,848
Chungcheongnam-do  | 132,171  | 537  | 709,209  | 131,279  | 516  | 677,524  | 135,398  | 571  | 773,012
Jeollabuk-do  | 112,141  | 539  | 604,503  | 110,875  | 501  | 555,760  | 114,509  | 519  | 593,861
Jeollanam-do  | 153,919  | 471  | 724,643  | 156,026  | 441  | 687,299  | 155,101  | 508  | 788,567
Gyeongsangbuk-do  | 97,465  | 543  | 529,210  | 97,255  | 509  | 495,055  | 95,830  | 541  | 518,007
Gyeongsangnam-do  | 65,979  | 503  | 332,096  | 65,028  | 483  | 314,333  | 64,079  | 529  | 338,698
Jeju Island  | 8  | 215  | 16  | 8  | 231  | 18  | 6  | 382  | 21

### Special rice brands

[edit]

Icheon rice(이천쌀)

#### Icheon rice

[edit]

Icheon rice(이천 쌀) is rice produced in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do. Icheon rice is the most preferred product among large and small retailers such as E-Mart, Lotte Mart, and Homeplus.[6] Icheon rice has fewer calories, fat, and protein than other regions, and thiamine, niacin, vitamins, and essential amino acids, which make rice taste better, and taste better than other local rice even after March to April of the following year. There are three reasons why Icheon rice tastes good. First, 88% of farmers in Icheon farm underground water. Secondly, Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, is a basin-type topography located in the center of the inland, and has excellent quality due to the large seasonal temperature difference and daily temperature difference between day and night. Thus the region has a good environment for growing rice due to the higher sunlight during the bearing season. Thirdly, the soil fertility is good. This is because of high levels of granite gneiss present in the gray-brown soil. Water can be controlled better, and nutrition can be supplied to the crop until the late stage of growth.[7]

Yeoju rice (여주쌀)

#### Yeoju rice

[edit]

Yeoju rice(여주 쌀) is rice produced in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do. Yeoju rice has obtained a "G mark" only available by certification of the governor of Gyeonggi-do.[6] The 'G Mark' is a brand mark given exclusively to agricultural products from Gyeonggi-do. The reason why Yeoju rice is considered superior is that Yeoju enjoys climatic advantages. It is not located in an area greatly affected by drought and flooding; there are few high mountains, so there are longer sunshine hours; and the daily temperature difference between day and night is larger than in other areas. Yeoju has superior water quality because the Namhan River flows through the center of the region. Finally, the area can produce high-quality rice because the land is high in biological content.[8]

Cheolwon odae rice (철원오대쌀)

#### Cheolwon odae rice

[edit]

Cheolwon Odae(철원오대 쌀) rice is rice produced on land near the Demilitarized Zone in Cheolwon, Gangwon-do. Rice grains are larger than other rice, and the aging of rice is slow, so the taste can be maintained for a long time. Cheolwon Odae rice has a unique savory and sweet taste. It is also characterized by a white dot next to the grain of rice. It is cultivated on the Cheolwon plain, which is composed of highly nutritious basalt inorganic ocher soil. Cheolwon has significant daily temperature fluctuations, so can grow sticky rice.[6]

Falling in love at a glace rice(한눈에 반한 쌀)

#### Falling in love at a glance rice

[edit]

Falling in love at a glance rice(한눈에 반한 쌀) is produced in Haenam, Jeollanam-do. This rice is considered superior for making sushi.[6]

This brand was awarded the grand prize in 2006, 2007, and in 2009 in the High-Quality Brand Rice Evaluation by the Korea Consumer Organization Council. It was for eight years selected for its excellence.[9]

## Distribution and consumption

[edit]

### South Korea's Rice Exports

[edit]

Korea's Rice Export (2019~2021)[10] | 2019  | 2020  | 2021

|
|
|

Country  | weight (t)  | amount of money ($1,000)  | weight (t)  | amount of money ($1,000)  | weight (t)  | amount of money ($1,000)
US | 495  | 1,274  | 869  | 2,185  | 514  | 1,667
Australia | 468  | 1,205  | 517  | 1,313  | 345  | 1,163
Singapore | 181  | 345  | 204  | 424  | 93  | 263
Vietnam | 63  | 155  | 131  | 247  | 97  | 229
UAE | 73  | 167  | 53  | 149  | 62  | 215
Hong Kong | 39  | 139  | 178  | 547  | 49  | 188
UK | 24  | 76  | 61  | 173  | 69  | 186
Netherlands | 29  | 131  | 20  | 61  | 41  | 153
Canada | 32  | 93  | 100  | 249  | 52  | 152
Japan | 34  | 96  | 17  | 57  | 34  | 123
Other countries  | 385  | 982  | 431  | 1,006  | 254  | 800
Sum  | 1,823  | 4,663  | 2,587  | 6,471  | 1,610  | 5,139

South Korea's major rice export markets are the United States, Australia, and Singapore, accounting for 60 percent of the total exports. As the demand for dining out increased due to the stabilization of COVID-19, the demand for Korean rice from overseas Korean markets such as the United States and Australia decreased.[10]

The U.S. exports about 500 tons annually to Korean marts and Korean restaurants. The 2022 demand for Korean food consumption for rice processed foods increased due to the popularity of K-contents.[10]

Japan exports about 30 tons a year. As rice processed foods, demand for traditional liquor and Sikhye is increasing.[10]

Vietnam exports about 97 tons of rice annually, and rice processed foods are increasing as entry into the Tteokbokki franchise expands.[10]

### Domestic rice consumption

[edit]

#### Annual household consumption of rice per person

[edit]

South Korea's rice consumption has been decreasing for 37 consecutive years since 1988. Rice consumption per capita in 2021 is 56.9%. This decreased by 1.4% (0.8 kg) compared to 2020.[11]

The reason for the decrease in rice consumption is known to be due to changes in eating habits. This is due to a decline in the number of people who cook at home, and the spread of a culture of food deliveries and/ or frequent dining out. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of South Korea considered that the extent of the decline in rice consumption in 2021 eased compared to the previous two years. In 2021 there was a 1.4% decrease i.e. less than the 3.0% decrease in 2019 and that of 2.5% in 2020. There are three reasons for this reduced decline. The first is the increase in demand for homemade meals due to the expansion of the home convenience market such as for soup and stew. The second reason is the increase in single-person households with relatively high rice consumption. The third reason is that after COVID-19, more people prefer home-cooked meals.[11]

#### Corporate rice consumption

[edit]

Rice consumption in the 2021 business sector totalled 680,000 tons, up 30,000 tons (4.6%↑) from 650,000 tons in 2020. In industry, demand for lunch boxes, noodles, rice cakes, and cooked food for meals increased by more than 10% compared to the previous year, and demand for sugar and liquor decreased slightly. In particular, the manufacturing of lunch boxes increased by 16% in 2021 compared to 2020, and the demand for cooked food such as instant rice has been steadily increasing over the three years 2019–2021.[12]

Rice consumption (2017–2021)[12] Year  | Per person in the household (kg)  | In the company (t)

|
|

2017  | 61.8  | 708,000
2018  | 61.0  | 756,000
2019  | 59.2  | 744,000
2020  | 57.7  | 650,000
2021  | 56.9  | 680,000

### Economic implications of rice

[edit]

Rice is suitable for regions affected by seasonal wind, such as Korea, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, and is one of the most productive crops per unit area. In a country with limited farmland like Korea, it is efficient for a large population to grow crops with high productivity on limited areas of land. Accordingly, rice has been linked to the lives of the Korean people as a staple food. The production, distribution, and consumption of rice have become the basis of the agricultural economy of South Korea.[13]

In historical times, rice was used in place of money before money was commonly used. Barter involves difficulties in comparing the value of objects. To solve this problem, rice was conveniently used. There is a record that rice was used as a currency during the reign of King Soji of Silla. This shows that rice was used early as a currency during the period of Three Kingdoms of Korea.[13]

After currency was created, the monetary function of rice generally gradually disappeared, but remained in rural areas. In the case of paying farm rent, between 1965 and 1981 the ratio of payment in rice was 70 to 94%, which greatly exceeded cash expenditure. Rice was a symbol of the wealth of farmers in the process of economic development.[13]

Rice is South Korea's most important staple and accounts for a large portion of the nation's nutritional requirements. In addition, rice accounts for a high proportion of household expenses, so any rise in rice prices pressures household expenses for people living in cities. Such price rises act as a wage inflation pressure so as eventually to cause an increase in general prices. This has led to a government theory that ideally rice should not be too expensive or too cheap. If the price of rice is too high, people cannot buy it. If the price of rice is too low, it cannot guarantee the cost of living for farmers who grow rice.[13]

## History of production

[edit]

Main article: Agriculture in South Korea

The most likely origin of Asian rice cultivated in Korea is the theory of the origin of Assam in northern India, and there are other theories of the origin of Yunnan in southern China and Southeast Asia.[14] However, the recent excavation of rice seeds from the earthen layer of the Paleolithic Age in Sorori, Chungcheingbuk-do, Korea, has raised new interest in the origin of rice and its propagation route[15]

Before ancient Koreans ate rice, they ate mixed grains as a staple food. As rice entered Korea through the north, it was actively grown in Yeongnam and Honam regions, which have favorable climatic conditions. Rice production in Baekje and Silla was high during the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and rice topped the list of staple foods, especially during the Unified Silla period.[13] Rice in Korea is weak against falling and rice blasts, but it is resistant to cold and grows well even if there is insufficient water.[16]

Rice cultivation became common in the Goryeo dynasty, during which period production was strengthened by the building of rice warehouses, improvement of cultivation methods, and expansion of agricultural areas. As the population increased and the preference for rice increased, production of rice became essential. During the Joseon dynasty, rice planting methods spread throughout the country, increasing the overall amount of rice production.[13]

By the late Joseon dynasty, farmers cultivated superior species. There were about 1,500 varieties of rice in South Korea. Due to the policy of abolishing Korean traditional rice during the Japanese colonial era and of accepting Japanese rice varieties, only 55 traditional species remained by 1935. The rice harvest in 1978 was smaller due to damage by blight, harmful insects and cold weather. South Korea was able to achieve substantial self-sufficiency in rice after the mid-1980s due to technology and the distribution of Tongil Rice.[16]

## Storage

[edit]

### Rice storage methods in South Korea

[edit]

Kimchi refrigerator

The Korea Rural Development Administration introduced a rice storage method that can reduce changes in the proper temperature so as to keep rice fresh.

Since rice reacts sensitively to the temperature, it should be stored in an appropriate way to reduce quality changes. If the temperature of the place where rice is stored is high, the fat content in the rice combines with oxygen in the air. This raises acidity, and causes bad smells so as to affect the taste of rice. In an experiment conducted by the Korea Rural Development Administration to examine changes in rice quality according to storage temperature, rice stored at 4 degrees Celsius was found to last the longest due to limited changes in rice taste, freshness, and color.[17]

At home, it is recommended to store rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If this is not possible, it is recommended during the period October to April to store rice in a cool place where there is no sunlight and where the average temperature is under 15 degrees. If room temperature storage cannot be avoided in summer, it is better to purchase small amounts of rice and consume each as soon as possible. When humidity and temperature are high, microorganisms such as pests, fungi, and bacteria can occur, so rice should be stored in a cool place with low humidity. If the winter temperature drops below zero, rice may freeze, thereby introducing volume increase and subsequent cracking.

In Korean homes, kimchi is usually stored at an appropriate temperature using a kimchi refrigerator. The reason for kimchi refrigerators is that when kimchi is finished, it should traditionally be put in a jar and buried in the ground. As the number of cities increases and the number of people living in apartments other than detached houses increases, those who cannot use the traditional storage method choose a kimchi refrigerator instead. In Korea, kimchi refrigerators are treated as necessities in a home, and will be featured in new home introductory videos.

### Public stockpiling system

[edit]

There is in South Korea a government-run public storage system that stores a certain amount of food in case of food crises such as unstable grain supply and demand, natural disasters, and war.[18] It reserves 17-18% of annual consumption, and buys from farmers at the national average rice price during the harvest season from October to December. In principle, the stockpile is supplied throughout the year via the military and government offices to circulate inventory. If supply and demand are unstable, stored rice is released to the market on short sale prices. Replacement of a certain quantity is required every year in order to prevent quality degradation and to ensure smooth inventory circulation.

Status of purchasing public reserve rice by year[19] (Based on purchase price: 40 kg, Grade 1)  × | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

purchase quantity(t)  | 370,000 | 360,000 | 360,000 | 340,000 | 340,000 | 340,000 | 320,000 | 340,000 | 450,000(planning)
purchase price(₩)  | 57,740 | 52,270 | 48,280 | 52,570 | 67,050 | 65,750 | 75,140 | 74,300 |

## See also

[edit]

* Paddy fields in Korea
* Wild rice
* Rice production of Japan
* Rice in Korean culture

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "FAOSTAT". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
2. ^ a b c "South Korea: A Country Study:Major crops". Library of Congress, Washington D.C. June 1990. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
3. ^ "Rice off the menu: Asia's hunger for bread and pastries boosts wheat demand". Reuters. 2015-10-15. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
4. ^ May Choon, Chang (2015-11-28). "Seoul seeks ways to deal with huge rice stockpile". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2016-01-24. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
5. ^ "국가통계포털(KOSIS)" [KOrean Statistical Information Service(KOSIS)]. kosis.kr. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
6. ^ a b c d Kim, Sunhee (2018-11-07). "Part 2_한국 대표 지역 브랜드쌀" [Part 2_Rice, Korea's leading regional brand]. The Buyer (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-10-06.
7. ^ "이천 쌀 문화 축제ㅣ이천 쌀 이야기" [Icheon Rice Culture FestivalㅣIcheon Rice Story]. www.ricefestival.or.kr. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
8. ^ "여주시 문화관광" [Culture and Tourism in Yeoju City]. www.yeoju.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-10-06.
9. ^ Yoon, Youngsik. "디지털해남문화대전" [Haenam rice - Digital Haenam Culture Exhibition]. haenam.grandculture.net. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
10. ^ a b c d e "KATI 농식품수출정보" [KATI Agricultural Products Export Information]. www.kati.net. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
11. ^ a b Kang, Jinkyu (2022-01-27). "'한국인은 밥심'은 옛말…쌀 소비량 30년새 반토막" [It is an old saying, "Koreans cheer up with rice."Rice consumption has halved in 30 years.]. Hankyung dot-com (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-10-06.
12. ^ a b "1인당 연간 쌀 소비량 감소폭 2년 연속 둔화" [Annual rice consumption per capita has slowed for the second consecutive year]. www.korea.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-11-02.
13. ^ a b c d e f "쌀-한국민족문화대백과사전" [Rice - Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture]. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
14. ^ "전라남도 농업박물관, 쌀의 역사" [Jeollanam-do Agricultural Museum, History of Rice]. www.jam.go.kr. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
15. ^ Kim, seonyoung. ""쌀의 기원지는 중국 아닌 한국" 세계에서 인정" ["The origin of rice is Korea, not China," recognized in the world]. KBS News (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-09-29.
16. ^ a b Ok, Miyoung (2018-03-29). "쌀과 역사, 그리고 우리의 식탁 변천사" [Rice and History and Our Table Transformation] (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-10-12.
17. ^ "농촌진흥청[보도자료]쌀 냉장보관하면 더 오래 맛있게 먹을 수 있어요" [Rural Development Administration[Press release] If you refrigerate the rice, you can enjoy it for a longer time] (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-10-12.
18. ^ "KDI 경제정보센터-공공비축제도" [a public reserve system I KDI Economic Information Center].
19. ^ "녹림축산식품부" [Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs].

This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Country Studies. Federal Research Division.

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