Key facts
- South Korea's rice production is projected to fall for the fifth consecutive year.
- The 2026-2027 marketing year is expected to see rice production reach 3.5 million tons.
- Government policies are encouraging farmers to switch crops.
- Per capita rice consumption in South Korea is declining.
South Korea is anticipating a continued decrease in its rice production, with projections for the 2026-2027 marketing year indicating a total output of 3.5 million tons. This marks the fifth consecutive year the nation is expected to see a decline in its staple crop. The primary factors contributing to this downward trend are twofold: government policies actively encouraging farmers to transition to cultivating alternative crops, and a persistent decline in per capita rice consumption by the South Korean populace. These combined forces are reshaping the agricultural sector and food consumption patterns within the country.