近期，韓國多地的豆腐加工業陷入前所未有的危機，引發民眾對食品供應和價格的高度關注。韓國豆腐產業長期依賴進口大豆作為主要原料，但隨著大豆進口量減少，多數豆腐廠面臨原料告急，部分工廠甚至瀕臨停產。江原道地區就有超過40家豆腐工廠因大豆耗盡而面臨停工，消息一出迅速衝上社交媒體熱搜榜，引發消費者對豆腐價格上漲和供應不足的擔憂。

這場危機的背後牽扯到全球大豆市場的供需格局。美國作為全球主要大豆出口國，對華出口已連續五個月歸零，導致大豆庫存積壓如山。而韓國國內的“國產大豆扶持計畫”則試圖減少對進口大豆的依賴，將大豆列為進口管理品種，透過配額限制與高價競標控制供應，鼓勵企業使用國產大豆。然而，2025年的連綿秋雨造成國產大豆減產超過20%，且價格比進口大豆高出三到四倍，完全無法滿足豆腐加工廠的需求。

中小型豆腐企業在原料短缺的壓力下被迫大規模停產，而大型企業如圃美多與CJ第一製糖也陷入原料來源無處可采的困局。整個事件凸顯了韓國豆腐產業高度依賴進口大豆的脆弱性，也引發社會對農業政策與食品安全的討論。消費者擔心，不僅是價格上漲問題，豆腐這一日常食品的供應穩定性也可能受到長期影響。此事件成為韓國食品市場與農業政策交織下的一次典型危機案例。

Recently, South Korea has been facing an unprecedented crisis in its tofu industry, drawing widespread concern over food supply and pricing. The country’s tofu production has long relied on imported soybeans as the primary raw material, but with a significant reduction in soybean imports, many tofu factories are experiencing shortages, and some are on the verge of halting production. In Gangwon Province alone, over 40 tofu factories are facing potential shutdowns due to depleted soybean supplies. The news quickly became a trending topic on social media, sparking public fears of rising tofu prices and possible supply shortages.

The roots of this crisis are intertwined with global soybean market dynamics. The United States, a major soybean exporter, has seen its exports to China drop to zero for five consecutive months, resulting in massive inventory surpluses. Meanwhile, South Korea’s domestic “local soybean support program” aimed to reduce dependence on imports by designating soybeans as a controlled import commodity, limiting quotas, and encouraging companies to purchase domestic soybeans through high-price bidding. However, continuous autumn rains in 2025 caused domestic soybean yields to drop by over 20%, and the prices were three to four times higher than imported soybeans, making them largely unaffordable for tofu producers.

Small and medium-sized tofu manufacturers have been forced to scale back or suspend production due to the raw material shortage, while large companies like Pulmuone and CJ First Sugar also face difficulties sourcing sufficient soybeans. This situation highlights the vulnerability of South Korea’s tofu industry due to its heavy reliance on imports and has sparked public debate over agricultural policy and food security. Consumers are concerned not only about rising prices but also about the long-term stability of tofu supply, making this crisis a stark example of the intersection between food markets and national agricultural policies.