(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yoon-gu = Three weeks before this year's Chuseok, prices for fruits and vegetables such as pears and spinach are expected to be lower than last year's Chuseok, resulting in overall lower costs.
The Korea Consumer Association, a price survey organization, announced on the 16th that the recent survey on the cost of Chuseok offerings showed that the national average price in traditional markets was 284,100 won.
This is a decrease of 3,900 won (1.1%) compared to last year.
The cost of traditional market offerings was 24% (89,530 won) lower than the national average price of 373,540 won in large-scale supermarkets.
Items that were cheaper in traditional markets than in large-scale supermarkets included beef, pork, green onions, and pears. Large-scale supermarkets had an advantage in processed food prices.
The surveyed cost of offerings has risen by 31.5% over the past 10 years.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 shock and abnormal weather, the cost of offerings increased by more than 7% each year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, but it has turned to a downward trend again this Chuseok after two years.
The lower cost of offerings this year is due to the decrease in vegetable and fruit prices.
In particular, the price of pears decreased by about 17% compared to last year. This year, as Chuseok is later than last year, concentrated shipments were made ahead of the peak season, leading to a decrease in pear prices.
Spinach prices decreased as the weather conditions were favorable this year, leading to stable supply, unlike last year when a late heat wave prevailed.
The price of radishes is also lower than last year.
On the other hand, the prices of eggs, pork, and apples have increased compared to last year. The price of apples increased due to the decrease in high-quality "large fruits" caused by the summer heat, leading to higher prices for gift-giving.
Regionally, Jeju, which has high logistics costs due to its island characteristics, was the only region where the cost exceeded 300,000 won, at 302,130 won in traditional markets.
Jeonnam (268,880 won), the largest producer of agricultural and marine products, and Gwangju (271,900 won), adjacent to Jeonnam, had the lowest costs.
Team Leader Im Sang-min of the Korea Consumer Association said, "The decrease in the cost of offerings this year is a positive sign of price stabilization," and added, "Considering the rise in the consumer price index for agricultural, livestock, and marine products, continuous management such as preemptive supply of peak season products and reinforcement of logistics and storage infrastructure in production areas is necessary."
He continued, "Due to the heat wave and late..."