This year, barley production has switched to an increasing trend for the first time in six years. Both the cultivation area and productivity improved due to rising sowing season prices and favorable weather conditions. Garlic and onion also experienced good yields, increasing production compared to last year.
According to the '2025 barley, garlic, and onion cultivation area and crop production survey results' released by the Statistics Korea on the 30th, this year's barley production reached 92,000 tons, an increase of 21,000 tons (30.1%) compared to last year (71,000 tons). It is the first time since 2019 that barley production increased compared to the previous year.
Barley production had decreased for five consecutive years since 2020, falling to historically low levels last year, but this year, the cultivation area expanded by 8.3% to 25,234 hectares due to rising sowing season prices. Weather conditions in the early growing season (January to March) were also favorable, resulting in a production of 365 kg per 10 a, which is a 20.1% increase.
Garlic production increased by 8.8% to 310,000 tons compared to the previous year. The cultivation area decreased by 1.5% to 22,947 hectares due to labor shortages, but the production per 10 a increased by 10.4% to 1,351 kg. The significant increase in rainfall and sunshine hours during the growing period of February to March contributed to this.
Onion production also rose by 0.5% to 1,182,000 tons compared to last year. While the cultivation area decreased by 5% to 17,677 hectares due to falling prices, good growing conditions allowed production per 10 a to increase by 5.9% to 6,684 kg.