As South Korea approaches the Chuseok holiday, the government is taking sweeping measures to stabilize food prices and ensure ample supplies for the nation’s tables. On September 19, 2025, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced an ambitious plan to expand the supply of key food items and launch major discount events, aiming to ease the financial burden on households during this important festive season. The move comes amid concerns over recent outbreaks of animal diseases and shifting market dynamics, making this year’s preparations especially critical.
According to the Ministry, the government will significantly increase the supply of beef and pork, two staples in Korean holiday meals. From September 19, the supply of domestic beef will be ramped up by 14,000 tons, bringing the total to 30,000 tons for the month. Notably, this beef will be sold at discounts of up to 50%, a welcome relief for families planning their Chuseok feasts. Pork supplies are also getting a boost, with 65,000 tons—1.3 times the usual amount—set to hit the market. To further stabilize prices, 10,000 tons of imported pork, subject to allocated tariffs, will be brought in swiftly.
It’s not just meat that’s on the government’s radar. Eggs, another holiday staple, are receiving special attention. The government is working with the Egg Price Adjustment Council to monitor and adjust farm prices, and has begun publishing egg market trends through the Livestock Products Quality Assessment Service. This replaces the traditional method of announcing farm prices, aiming for greater transparency and quicker response to market changes.
Grains are also central to the government’s stabilization efforts. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance revealed plans to purchase approximately 172,000 tons of surplus public grain to shore up prices and ensure steady supply. This includes buying 50% of the current 14,000 to 30,000 tons of surplus grain from existing stockpiles, starting September 19. In addition, 650,000 tons of surplus grain will be secured to further stabilize the market. By September 21, the government aims to purchase about 150,000 units of practical feed grains, such as wheat and barley, to support livestock producers and keep feed costs in check.
The Ministry convened a key meeting on September 19 at the Northern Agricultural Product Public Warehouse in Cheongbuk, where officials discussed the supply and demand of surplus grain and feed. The meeting focused on setting the purchase volume and price, with the goal of finalizing these details by the end of September. The Ministry emphasized the importance of verifying surplus grain supply through official certification and called on related agencies for cooperation. Once the purchases are complete, inspections and strict management measures will be implemented to ensure quality and prevent misuse.
Fruits, too, are getting a boost. The government is strengthening cultivation management for apples and pears, and will sell 150,000 units of practical gift sets—ideal for Chuseok gifting—starting September 21. Garlic, another key ingredient in Korean cuisine, will see 400 tons from reserve stocks and 600 tons from contract farms directly supplied to major retailers and wholesale markets. Meanwhile, an additional 25,000 tons of government rice will be released to the private sector, with distribution set to continue until October 17.
At the heart of these efforts is a commitment to daily monitoring. The Ministry said it will check the prices and supply of key holiday foods every day leading up to Chuseok, and will act swiftly if further intervention is needed. As Deputy Minister Lee Hyung-il put it during a visit to the Eumseong Livestock Products Auction Market—the largest of its kind in Korea, with over 1 trillion won in annual auction transactions for six consecutive years—"Securing sufficient supply to meet the increased demand for livestock products during the Chuseok holiday is more important than anything else." He took the opportunity to encourage on-site workers, recognizing their role in keeping the supply chain running smoothly.
Yet, the government’s job isn’t just about supply and demand; it’s also about vigilance. Recent outbreaks of African swine fever and highly pathogenic avian influenza have raised alarms, even though, so far, the damage has been limited and no new cases have been reported. Still, with increased movement of goods and people during the holidays, the risk of disease spread is higher. The Ministry has responded by ramping up inspections at nearby farms and launching emergency response measures, including enhanced disinfection protocols. Plans are also underway for a special animal disease prevention program to be implemented during the winter months.
Behind the scenes, a detailed analysis of the nation’s grain reserves is informing these policy decisions. On September 19, the Ministry’s Public Grain Management Board published the results of its September 2025 grain balance survey, covering four key public grain boards: the Korean Grain Corporation, Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, Korea Rural Economic Institute, and Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation. The survey analyzed a staggering 6,202,025 units of grain from August 19 to September 19, a slight decrease of 0.41% from the previous month’s 6,227,537 units.
The breakdown is telling. The Korean Grain Corporation’s survey covered 783,156 units of rice, 803,788 units of barley, 751,350 units of corn, 291,148 units of sorghum, and 134,511 units of other grains, totaling 2,763,953 units—a 4.20% drop from the previous month. Meanwhile, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation saw a dramatic 46.57% increase in its total, reaching 1,839,441 units. The Korea Rural Economic Institute posted a more modest 3.53% rise, while the Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation’s tally fell by 41.82% to 721,336 units. The survey also highlighted the distribution percentages of different grains: rice at 22.62%, barley at 15.80%, corn at 0.90%, grain production at 40.35%, and grain consumption at 27.39%.
This granular data is vital for policymakers as they navigate the complex landscape of food security. As one analyst at the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute noted, "The September 2025 brand reputation results show that the Korean Mint recorded the highest ranking among public institutions, but overall, the total public institution brand big data fell by 0.41% compared to August." The analyst added, "A detailed analysis shows brand consumption up 22.62%, brand issues up 15.80%, brand communication down 0.90%, brand spread down 40.35%, and brand contribution down 27.39%." These figures, while technical, reflect the broader economic and social forces at play.
With Chuseok just around the corner, the government’s multi-pronged approach—spanning increased supply, price monitoring, disease prevention, and data-driven decision-making—offers a comprehensive response to the challenges of 2025. For millions of Koreans preparing to gather with family and friends, these measures mean a little less worry and, hopefully, a lot more to celebrate.