Grains Supply Stable so Far in Korea

South Korea has maintained a stable supply of grains despite global borders to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The pandemic has sparked border closures and strict lockdowns, with countries such as Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Cambodia suspending grains export last month.

Fortunately, Korea has stockpiled 1.99 million tons of rice to maintain a steady supply to the market until the next harvest period of September and October.

The country also has sufficient amounts of wheat and stock feed products to last until October and November, respectively.
The growth in importations of agricultural products made the supply possible, according to a report by the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI).

"The coronavirus outbreak would not wreak havoc in the local food market in the short term as the country has stored enough grains," says an official of the KREI.

Market experts insist that facilities for storing domestic and imported grains like silos on ports should be expanded, and a mandatory grain stockpiling system in local farms should be introduced in case the pandemic is prolonged.

They also warned of the possibility of major grain exporters extending their limits on transactions or closing the ports to South Korea.