Ancestor, This Chuseok Table is Offered with 'Meal Kits and Delivery' This Year

"41% Only Make Holiday Food Themselves"

As preparations for Chuseok ancestral rites tables gradually simplify, 26% of people in their 20s responded that they plan to use meal kits.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This is the result of a survey conducted on the 21st by data consulting company PMAI Co., Ltd., targeting 3,000 men and women nationwide aged 20 to 69, regarding preparations for holiday ancestral rites tables.

41.2% of all respondents answered that they plan to 'make holiday food themselves' during this Chuseok holiday. Following that, 24.1% said they plan to 'buy only labor-intensive foods such as jeon and japchae,' and 19.3% responded that they plan to 'use meal kits.' Additionally, 15.5% of respondents said they plan to 'order delivery appropriately.'

In this way, the image of families gathering in one place during Chuseok to personally prepare ancestral rites or ceremonial food is expected to gradually simplify. Although many people still answered that they buy raw ingredients and make the food themselves, the number of consumers who prefer to purchase ready-made products or meal kits rather than spending time and effort preparing holiday food themselves is increasing.

Looking at the responses by age group, 26.5% of people in their 20s said they plan to use meal kits, which is about one in four, whereas only 12.8% of those in their 60s responded this way, less than half compared to the 20s group.

Jominhee, CEO of PMAI Co., Ltd., explained, "In preparation for the Chuseok peak season, the food and beverage industry is diversifying sales channels such as offline stores and its own online malls," adding, "For effective Chuseok sales, customer-tailored marketing that considers detailed customer needs by age group regarding product composition and purchase benefits is necessary."

Meanwhile, prices have sharply risen one week before the Chuseok holiday. Agricultural product prices have surged significantly due to heavy rains, and international oil prices have hit their highest level of the year, fueling inflation concerns.

Also, the Producer Price Index for August, announced by the Bank of Korea on the 20th, rose at the fastest rate in 16 months since April last year.

Therefore, respondents were asked how they actually feel about the Chuseok prices.

87.2% of all respondents answered that "prices this Chuseok have risen compared to before." By age group, 80.9% of those in their 20s, 82.2% in their 30s, 85.7% in their 40s, 95.1% in their 50s, and 91.9% in their 60s felt this way. It was found that the older the age group, the more they perceive the price increase.