"Hanwoo with Lower Grades Sometimes More Expensive... Be Careful When Giving Gifts"

Consumer Agency Investigates Four Major Supermarket Chains

Some Korean beef gift sets sold at large supermarkets ahead of Chuseok were found to have lower beef grades but were priced higher than products with higher grades, indicating the need for careful checking when purchasing.

The Korea Consumer Agency announced on the 12th that a comparative price survey of gift sets sold through the online reservation pages of four major large supermarkets from the 10th to the 20th of last month confirmed this. The survey targeted Chuseok gift sets sold at Emart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus, and Hanaro Mart, including 92 Korean beef sets, 23 apple sets, and 17 pear sets.

According to the Consumer Agency's survey, in the case of Korean beef rib sets, the price per 100g of the 1+ grade 'Nonghyup Anshim Hanwoo Premium Rib Set' sold at Homeplus was 12,592 KRW, which was 717 KRW more expensive than the 1++(7) grade Emart 'Peacock Hoengseong Livestock Cooperative Hanwoo Rib Set' priced at 11,875 KRW. For Korean beef sirloin sets, the 1+ grade Emart 'Peacock Master’s Taste Daedo Restaurant Set' was priced at 30,000 KRW per 100g, which was 18,934 KRW more expensive than the 1++(7) grade Hanaro Mart 'Icheon Livestock Cooperative Hanwoo Flower Sirloin Set' priced at 11,066 KRW. The average price per 100g by Korean beef grade was 25,623 KRW for 1++(9) grade, 16,775 KRW for 1++(8) grade, and 9,776 KRW for 1 grade.

Among the Korean beef gift sets surveyed, those priced in the 100,000 KRW range accounted for the largest share at 37%, followed by the 200,000 KRW and 300,000 KRW ranges at 19.6% each. For fruit gift sets, based on price per 100g, pears were on average 35.8% cheaper than apples. The average price per 100g for apple gift sets was 1,716 KRW, while pears were 1,101 KRW. The Consumer Agency also pointed out that according to the 'Notice on Information Provision of Goods in Electronic Commerce, etc.', telecommunication sales businesses must disclose quantity and size per packaging unit, but 77.5% of the fruit gift sets surveyed indicated quantity as a range, such as 11 to 14 pieces.

The Consumer Agency requested improvements in the display of quantity and size for gift sets during meetings with these retailers. Additionally, various discount information applicable when purchasing Chuseok gift sets from each retailer will be provided through the 'Chamgagaek Site'.