Growing Fear of 'New Coronavirus'... Masks Sell Out, Kimchi and Onions Sales Increase

Distribution Industry Limits Mask Purchase Quantity
Convenience Stores Cancel Mask '1+1' Promotions
Local Pharmacies "Stock May Run Out Completely in a Day or Two"
"Boosts Immunity"... Sales of Related Products Increase Due to Folk Remedies

On the 30th, amid the ongoing threat of the novel coronavirus, a notice board informing about the mask purchase limit per person is displayed at a large supermarket in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] As the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) spreads, a mask shortage phenomenon is occurring. Additionally, through social network services (SNS) and others, baseless folk remedies have been shared, leading to increased sales of foods such as kimchi and onions, which are said to boost immunity.

According to the distribution industry on the 1st, Emart is limiting the number of masks purchased per person at some large stores where demand is concentrated. In the case of the Yongsan branch in Seoul, the purchase quantity per person was limited to 10, and in some places, it was limited to 2. At Emart Traders stores, the purchase quantity is limited to one box. Lotte Mart is also considering limiting purchase quantities mainly at stores with high demand, such as large urban stores.

In the convenience store industry, order quantities are being limited or promotional gift events are being canceled. Initially, some convenience stores planned '1+1' type promotions for masks starting this month, but masks were excluded from promotional products due to supply issues. A GS25 official said, "We have secured quantities that can operate masks for about 7 to 10 days and hand sanitizers for about 4 to 5 days," adding, "It is common to secure about 15 days' worth of disposable or non-food items, but currently, the stock is lower than the average."

Pharmacies in the market are reportedly struggling to secure mask supplies. Especially in some pharmacies around Myeongdong in Seoul, where many tourists including Chinese visitors frequent, mask stocks have run out. A pharmacy official in Myeongdong said, "Masks are completely sold out on the pharmacist-only site," and added, "At this rate, we may not be able to sell masks in a day or two."

Meanwhile, baseless folk remedies have been shared mainly on SNS such as KakaoTalk and YouTube, causing sales of related foods to start fluctuating. The content recommends consuming onions, kimchi, and other foods, claiming they help strengthen immunity.

According to SSG.com, from the 23rd to the 29th of last month, sales of garlic, onions, kimchi, green tea, and others increased significantly compared to the same period last year. Garlic and kimchi sales increased by 102% and 97%, respectively, while onions and green tea sales rose by 83% and 66%, respectively. Gmarket reported that from the 27th to the 29th of last month, sales of onions and kimchi increased by 42% and 8%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

All these foods have recently been mentioned on SNS as foods that boost immunity and help prevent novel coronavirus infection. Especially right after the fourth confirmed domestic case of the novel coronavirus on the 27th, messages rapidly spread on KakaoTalk and YouTube recommending "eating kimchi," saying, "During the 2003 SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak, kimchi protected our people."

In one army unit in Gangwon Province, it was revealed that they instructed placing 3 to 4 onions cut like 'ritual fruits' indoors, citing the antibacterial effects of the top and bottom parts of onions. Subsequently, some citizens spread the information that onions are government-certified infection prevention foods.

However, all these claims lack scientific evidence. Earlier on the 30th of last month, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated, "Eating kimchi does not prevent infection with the novel coronavirus. The best preventive measure is handwashing." The novel coronavirus spreads not through the air but via droplets such as nasal mucus and saliva from the nose and mouth of infected individuals, so although onions, garlic, and kimchi contain many beneficial nutrients, they do not have a direct effect on boosting immunity against the novel coronavirus.

Nevertheless, the distribution industry expects that sales of foods related to folk remedies may increase further. An industry official explained, "Since this coincides with the Lunar New Year holiday period, we cannot be certain that the recent increase in sales of kimchi, onions, and others is due to baseless folk remedies," but added, "Based on past cases such as SARS and MERS, there may be fluctuations in prices or sales of foods related to folk remedies in the future."