Top News

This year's rice production continued to decline for the fourth consecutive year. Despite an increase in production per unit area, the total production decreased as the rice cultivation area once again hit a record low.

According to the '2025 Rice Production Survey Results' released on the 13th by the Ministry of Data and Statistics, this year's rice production was 3,539,000 tons, a decrease of 46,000 tons (1.3%) from last year (3,585,000 tons). Rice production has been declining for the fourth year in a row, following decreases of 3.0% in 2022, 1.6% in 2023, and 3.2% in 2024.

Long-term decline in cultivation area… annual record lows

This year's rice cultivation area was 678,000 hectares, a 2.9% decrease from last year (698,000 hectares). This is the smallest area since the relevant statistics began in 1975.

The rice cultivation area decreased by 33.3% over approximately 20 years, from 1,016,000 hectares in 2003 to 678,000 hectares in 2025. Except for a temporary increase of 0.8% in 2021, it has been on a continuous decline almost every year.

As rice consumption has steadily decreased, government policies aimed at preventing oversupply have led to a reduction in cultivation area. The government is encouraging farmers to cultivate other crops such as wheat and soybeans instead of rice through policies like the Strategic Crop Direct Payment System and support projects for growing alternative crops on rice paddies.

In contrast, production per unit area increased. The yield per 10a (1,000 square meters) was 522 kg, a 1.7% increase from last year (514 kg). The Ministry of Data and Statistics explained, "Due to better overall weather conditions during growth compared to the previous year, reduced damage from pests and diseases led to an increase in production per 10a."

The pest damage rate decreased by 1.9 percentage points, from 11.9% last year to 10.0% this year.

By province, the highest production was in South Chungcheong (694,000 tons), followed by South Jeolla (687,000 tons) and North Jeolla (543,000 tons).

Focus on additional measures amid rising rice prices

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung stated during last month's national audit, "We will isolate 100,000 tons from the estimated surplus of 165,000 tons for the 2025 harvest." The government has been implementing a policy of purchasing and isolating a certain amount of rice from the market to prevent oversupply.

Last year, the government isolated 260,000 tons from the market, far exceeding the estimated surplus of 56,000 tons. Minister Song acknowledged during the audit that this was one of the reasons for the nearly 30% rise in rice prices. Although the isolation scale was reduced to 100,000 tons this year, concerns remain that continued declines in production could lead to sustained upward pressure on rice prices.

During a site inspection of rice harvesting last month, Minister Song stated, "We will reassess supply and demand before February next year and push for additional measures tailored to the situation," adding, "We will significantly expand the budget for the Strategic Crop Direct Payment System and actively support consumption activation linked to the production of strategic crops."

Source : msn