Rising Prices Boost Online Grocery Shopping... Rice, Eggs, and Pork Increase Up to 3 Times

Food sales surge due to the impact of 'foodflation'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Gmarket and Auction recently conducted a survey comparing category-wise sales volume over the past month to the same period last year. The results showed a significant increase in demand for daily consumable food products such as fresh and processed foods, as well as practical e-coupons.

According to Gmarket and Auction on the 6th, rice and kimchi, essential items on the dining table, increased by 33% and 32% respectively, while major side dishes rose by up to 110%. Overall pork sales increased by 45%, with sales of relatively inexpensive imported pork nearly doubling (91%). Beef sales also rose by 58%, and fish such as dried yellow croaker and croaker (20%), mackerel pike (55%), flatfish and anglerfish (54%), and eel (13%) received positive responses. Chicken, one of the items with a recent sharp price increase, sold 58% more, and eggs sold more than double, increasing by 122%.

Processed foods showed similar trends. Instant rice and ramen rose by 14% and 19% respectively, while noodles such as pasta (97%), wheat noodles (31%), glass noodles (24%), and udon (20%) were popular. Canned goods, which are affordable and have a long shelf life, also saw a 35% increase in sales. In particular, tuna cans increased by 44%, and mackerel and mackerel pike cans increased more than threefold, by 240%.

Demand for affordable frozen convenience foods also surged. Items such as Donggeurangttaeng (Korean-style meat patties) (123%), fried foods (62%), yubu chobap (tofu sushi), gimbap, and rice balls (70%), as well as hot dogs and hamburgers (21%) gained popularity.

As more budget-conscious consumers try to save every penny, practical e-coupons and mobile gift certificates are also in high demand. Looking at coupon sales by category, buffet, restaurant, and dining brand coupons sold 50% more, and hamburger brand coupons (83%) also received a good response.

A Gmarket official said, “As food prices have soared to the point where terms like foodflation and lunchflation have become popular, more people are shopping online to buy groceries at lower prices. Customers are increasingly looking for various dining table menus, convenient processed foods, and practical food brand e-coupons.”