Crop disaster insurance expanded to 78 items — cucumber and greenhouse perilla leaf newly introduced in 2026
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The number of items covered by crop disaster insurance rose to 78 in 2026, cucumber and greenhouse perilla leaf were newly introduced this year, and 10 cities and counties were added to the areas covered for shallots and thin spring onions.
Key facts
| Number of items covered | 2 in 2001 → 25 in 2010 → 67 in 2020 → 73 in 2024 → 76 in 2025 → 78 in 2026 |
|---|---|
| New items in 2026 | Cucumber, greenhouse perilla leaf |
| Expansion of areas covered | 10 cities and counties added to the existing 2 for shallots and thin spring onions |
| Pilot operation | Watermelon (introduced in 2024) — expansion of the areas covered to be considered later, taking into account the operating record and demand for wider coverage |
| Take-up rate | 50.8% (622,000 ha) as of the end of July, against 49.9% (605,000 ha) in the same period of the previous year |
| Introduction procedure | New items considered through demand surveys of local governments → pilot operation centred on the cities and counties that submitted demand and the main production areas → expansion of the areas covered |
Last checked:
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (농림축산식품부) explained on the 6th how the items and areas covered by crop disaster insurance (농작물재해보험) have been expanded. The number of items covered rose from 2 in 2001 to 25 in 2010, 67 in 2020, 73 in 2024, 76 in 2025 and 78 in 2026, and in 2026 cucumber and greenhouse perilla leaf were newly introduced. This year 10 cities and counties were added to the existing 2 for shallots and thin spring onions (쪽파·실파). For watermelon, introduced in 2024 and currently in pilot operation, an expansion of the areas covered will be considered later, taking into account the operating record and demand for wider coverage. New items are considered through demand surveys of local governments, and after pilot operation centred on the cities and counties that submitted demand and on the main production areas, the areas covered are expanded. As of the end of July the take-up rate was 50.8% (622,000 ha), higher than 49.9% (605,000 ha) in the same period of the previous year. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said it will consider newly introducing a system to compensate for losses from disaster damage for items that cannot be insured, such as strawberry seedlings.
Background — why this change
The take-up rate for crop disaster insurance was 13.6% in 2012, 45.0% in 2020, 52.0% in 2023 and 57.7% in 2025. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said it will consider newly introducing a system that compensates for losses from disaster damage for items that cannot be insured, such as strawberry seedlings.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Which items newly became insurable in 2026?
In 2026 cucumber and greenhouse perilla leaf were newly introduced as items covered by crop disaster insurance.
What happens if my area is not covered?
New items are considered through demand surveys of local governments, and after pilot operation centred on the cities and counties that submitted demand and the main production areas, the areas covered are expanded. This year 10 cities and counties were added to the areas covered for shallots and thin spring onions.
How much insurance take-up is there?
As of the end of July the take-up rate was 50.8% (622,000 ha), higher than 49.9% (605,000 ha) in the same period of the previous year.