"Shopping Is Scary" Large Supermarkets Lower Egg Prices

'Let's Go Nonghwal' Event Moved Up 2 Weeks
20% Off Radishes, More Items Added

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] "Prices have been rising every month, and now they rise every week, every day. I'm afraid to go grocery shopping."

With the price of a carton of eggs nearing 7,000 won at large supermarkets, inflation has become a serious concern. Prices of radish, potatoes, zucchini, and onions have also risen one after another, making the cost of just the vegetables for a bowl of doenjang jjigae easily exceed 10,000 won.

On the 15th, the government announced that it will advance the 'Let's Go Farming in Korea' event, originally scheduled to start on the 28th, to stabilize prices ahead of the Lunar New Year. First, two rapidly rising items, eggs and radish, will be discounted by 20%, and prices of other items will be monitored for possible discounts. At large supermarkets, the price of radish (1 piece) will be reduced from 1,580 won to 1,260 won, and eggs (15 pieces) from 4,380 won to 3,504 won with a 20% discount.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, the price of eggs (30 special eggs) was recorded at 6,522 won, a 17.1% increase compared to a month ago (5,571 won). Compared to last year, it rose by 22.8%. The price of chicken (1kg) also increased by 10% to 5,605 won.

Vegetable prices are soaring due to reduced shipments caused by cold waves and heavy snowfall. Prices of radish (20kg) and onions (20kg) rose by 51.7% and 46.1% respectively, reaching 15,980 won and 38,560 won. Prices of zucchini and potatoes also increased by 57.5% and 37.5%. In particular, prices of potatoes and onions more than doubled compared to a year ago. Red pepper powder (1kg) also rose by 7.5%, from 38,602 won to 35,897 won.

The price of tangerines (5kg), a representative winter fruit, rose by 10.4% to 5,606 won compared to a month ago. Prices of pears and persimmons also increased by 5% and 14% respectively. Due to cold waves causing low water temperatures and high waves preventing fishing operations, seafood prices are also fluctuating. Prices of mackerel (10kg) and hairtail (10kg) rose by 6% each.