Import market for Fresh Cherry in South Korea (6월, 2022)

Agricultural producers, especially vegetable farmers in Hoengseong-gun and Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, are grappling with a severe crisis due to soaring production costs. The surge in international oil prices has dramatically increased the cost of heating oil, a crucial expense for tomato cultivation during winter. Additionally, the prices of various agricultural materials such as house film and irrigation supplies have significantly risen, exacerbating the financial strain. This is further compounded by a decrease in the prices of facilities vegetables, leading to a situation where production costs have doubled or tripled, while the revenue from selling the produce has dropped. The current stagnation in consumption due to COVID-19 only worsens the already challenging conditions for these farmers, prompting concerns about the sustainability of their operations and raising questions about the future of winter Gaon cultivation.