1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the recent oversupply and declining quality of high-altitude radishes (고랭지무) in the Korean market, leading to a dramatic drop in their prices.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 고랭지무 | go-raeng-ji-mu | high-altitude radish | The production of high-altitude radishes has increased significantly. |
| 물량 | mul-ryang | supply, quantity | The supply of high-altitude radishes has increased. |
| 품위 | pum-wi | quality, dignity | The quality of high-altitude radishes has declined due to the heatwave. |
| 반토막 | ban-to-mak | halved, cut in half | The prices of high-altitude radishes have been cut in half. |
| 생산량 | saeng-san-ryang | production volume | The production volume of high-altitude radishes has increased by 22% compared to the previous year. |
| 재배면적 | jae-bae-myeon-jeok | cultivation area | The cultivation area for summer radishes, which are mostly high-altitude radishes, has increased by 5.5% compared to the previous year. |
| 10ａ당 | ship-a-dang | per 10 ares (1,000 square meters) | The production per 10 ares has increased by 15.5% compared to the previous year. |
| 먹 | meok | discoloration, blackening | The high-altitude radishes have suffered from discoloration due to the heatwave. |
| 저장 | jeo-jang | storage | The kimchi industry has increased its storage of spring radishes, which has affected the demand for high-altitude radishes. |
| 수요 | su-yo | demand | The demand for high-altitude radishes has decreased due to the increased supply and storage of spring radishes by the kimchi industry. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
올해 10월 고랭지무의 생산량이 크게 늘어났다. 지난해보다 22% 증가한 것으로 나타났다.
The production volume of high-altitude radishes has increased significantly in October this year, rising 22% compared to the previous year.
이에 따라 가락시장에서 거래되는 고랭지무의 가격이 반토막 났다. 20㎏들이 상품 한상자당 1만1557원에 거래되고 있다.
As a result, the prices of high-altitude radishes traded at the Garak Market have been halved, with a 20kg box being traded at 11,557 won.
이는 공급 과다와 품위 저하 때문인 것으로 분석된다. 여름무 재배면적이 지난해보다 5.5% 늘었고, 10ａ당 생산량도 15.5% 증가했다.
This is analyzed to be due to the oversupply and declining quality. The cultivation area for summer radishes, which are mostly high-altitude radishes, has increased by 5.5% compared to the previous year, and the production per 10 ares has also increased by 15.5%.
폭염으로 인해 고랭지무에 ‘먹’ 현상이 나타나는 등 품위가 저하되었다. 또한 김치업계가 봄무 저장을 확대하면서 고랭지무 수요가 감소했다.
The high-altitude radishes have suffered from discoloration due to the heatwave, leading to a decline in quality. Additionally, the kimchi industry’s increased storage of spring radishes has also contributed to the decreased demand for high-altitude radishes.
이에 따라 고랭지무 가격이 지난해보다 반토막 났다. 10월 가락시장 평균 거래가격은 20㎏들이 상품 한상자당 1만1557원으로, 지난해 같은 기간 2만4000원보다 절반 수준이다.
As a result, the prices of high-altitude radishes have been halved compared to the previous year. The average trading price at the Garak Market in October for a 20kg box is 11,557 won, which is about half of the 24,000 won during the same period last year.
이처럼 고랭지무 생산량 증가와 품위 저하, 그리고 김치업계의 봄무 저장 확대로 인해 고랭지무 가격이 크게 하락했다.
In this way, the increase in high-altitude radish production, the decline in quality, and the kimchi industry’s expanded storage of spring radishes have led to a significant drop in the prices of high-altitude radishes.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What is the main reason for the dramatic drop in the prices of high-altitude radishes?
- How much has the production volume of high-altitude radishes increased compared to the previous year?
- What factors have contributed to the decline in the quality of high-altitude radishes?
- How has the kimchi industry’s storage of spring radishes affected the demand for high-altitude radishes?
- What was the average trading price of high-altitude radishes at the Garak Market in October, and how does it compare to the previous year?
5. Cultural and historical notes
High-altitude radishes, or “go-raeng-ji-mu” in Korean, are a type of radish that is commonly used in Korean cuisine, especially in the production of kimchi. The article highlights the challenges faced by the radish industry due to the oversupply and declining quality of these radishes, which are an important ingredient in traditional Korean food.