SEOUL: Unusually wet weather has resulted in a national kimchi crisis, as South Koreans confront a shortage of the oblong-shaped cabbage used to make the ubiquitous spicy dish.

With heavy September rains ruining much of the Napa, or Chinese, cabbage crop, prices have jumped fourfold to more than 11,000 won ($10) a head.

In response, the federal government last week announced a temporary reduction in tariffs on imported Chinese cabbage and radishes in a plan to rush an additional 100 tonnes of the staples into shops this month.

And the Seoul city government has begun a kimchi bailout program, in which it is absorbing 30 per cent of the cost of about 300,000 heads of cabbage it has bought from farmers.

The dish of fermented cabbage, radish and chilli paste is served with virtually every meal, and is believed by many to ward off ageing, reduce cholesterol and fight disease. South Koreans eat more than 2 million tonnes each year.