In South Korea, agricultural prices and production have experienced significant shifts in recent months. Weather-related factors have led to a sharp increase in fruit prices, particularly apples and pears, with some prices rising by as much as 40.6%. Vegetable prices have also been high due to similar production issues. On the other hand, livestock prices saw a decline in early 2024, although they are expected to stabilize later in the yearUSDA FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICEKOREA PRO.The government is also adjusting policies in response to demographic changes, such as encouraging farmers to reduce rice production and replace it with wheat cultivation. This shift is expected to increase wheat output to the highest levels since 1983USDA FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE.These trends reflect broader shifts in food consumption patterns, as South Koreans increasingly favor wheat and protein-rich diets, a consequence of changing eating habits and a declining populationUSDA FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE.
