"Soaring Prices Spark Summer Kimchi Trend" Lotte Mart Launches Pre-Sale of Pickled Cabbage

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Models are showcasing pickled napa cabbage available for pre-order at Lotte Mart.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] Lotte Mart is quickly introducing salted napa cabbage and fresh sun-dried red chili peppers as more people prepare for "summer kimchi" amid soaring prices.

Lotte Mart announced on the 5th that it will be the first large retailer to offer pre-orders for highland salted napa cabbage from the production area until August 17. Although the kimchi-making season typically starts at the end of November, due to poor cabbage growth and the occurrence of soft rot disease, continuous price surges of napa cabbage are expected, leading to an increase in consumers preparing summer kimchi before cabbage prices rise further. A Lotte Mart official explained, "Until now, pre-orders for salted napa cabbage began in early November when customer demand started to increase, but to accommodate consumers preparing summer kimchi and early Chuseok holiday kimchi, we have promptly prepared pre-order products for the summer season."

Lotte Mart emphasized that the salted napa cabbage (10 kg) introduced this time is made from highland cabbage grown in the clean production area of Yeongwol, carefully selected by producer Kim Woosung, who has 30 years of experience in salted napa cabbage production, and manufactured hygienically in the latest HACCP-certified facilities in Eumseong, Chungbuk. During the pre-order period, customers can register at the 'We Will Help You' center in Lotte Mart stores and pick up their orders on August 27 and September 3.

Pre-orders are also available for the essential 2022 fresh sun-dried red chili peppers for kimchi. Due to a decrease in cultivation area and the impact of summer rains, chili pepper production is expected to drop by more than 20% compared to the previous year, raising concerns about continuous price increases. Lotte Mart sells the '2022 Fresh Sun-Dried Red Chili Peppers' through pre-orders at all Lotte Mart stores and the Lotte Mart Mall on Lotte ON. Free milling services are provided to pre-order customers. Pick-up is available from August 25 to 31.

The sun-dried red chili peppers (1.8 kg) offered through this pre-order are grown in famous chili pepper production areas such as Jeongeup and Gochang in Jeonbuk. Cultivated under the sea breeze of the West Coast and healthy loess soil, these peppers have thick skins and are characterized by their unique spicy and sweet flavor and aroma.

Baek Seunghoon, product planner (MD) of Lotte Mart’s vegetable team, said, "To help consumers prepare kimchi before the surge in cabbage prices, we are the first large retailer to start pre-order sales of salted napa cabbage and fresh dried chili peppers in summer." He added, "Although these are difficult times with prices rising daily, Lotte Mart will move swiftly to stabilize prices and help reduce the burden on consumers."