Chungju Apples Sold for 3,000 Won Domestically
Discounted to 1,750 Won in the US
Chungju Man Apple "I Was Fooled Too"
Due to recent price increases, Chungju apples, which cost nearly 3,000 won each domestically, are reportedly being sold in the United States for around 1,000 won. When news spread that domestic apples were being sold overseas at discounted, cheaper prices, controversy arose among netizens, prompting Chungju City to clarify that the pricing follows a normal distribution structure.
Chungju apples exported to the United States and Kim Seontae, an official of Chungju City. [Photo by Online Community, captured from ChungTV]
Recently, posts titled "The current status of apples that used to cost 10,000 won each" have been circulating on online communities and social networking services (SNS), attracting attention. These posts included photos of price tags for Chungju apples taken at a U.S. supermarket, showing the price of "Chungju Anshim Washed Apples" at $1.29 (about 1,750 won). Originally priced at $2.49 (about 3,400 won), they were being sold at a discounted price due to the store’s own promotion.
The current price of Chungju apples sold domestically is close to 3,000 to 5,000 won per apple. Before the discount, the price was similar to that in Korea, but with the store’s discount applied, the price was about half or less, which led Korean netizens to express outrage, saying, "Are the middle wholesalers and retailers taking too much of the price difference?"
In response, Chungju City uploaded a video titled "I was deceived too" on its official YouTube channel, "Chung TV." In the video, Officer Kim said, "We sincerely apologize for the controversy over Chungju apples for export," adding, "I was deceived, and so was the entire public. A detailed explanation will be provided by the responsible department," but refrained from elaborating further.
Chungju City explained, "Apples for export to the U.S. are 100% contracted and cultivated for quality control," adding, "Since the apples were contracted and cultivated at prices set in early 2023, even if domestic prices rose significantly by the time of shipment, the price cannot be adjusted accordingly." They continued, "The actual price of an apple in the U.S. is only about $1, so it makes no sense to raise the price by reflecting domestic prices just because they are Chungju apples entering the U.S. market," and said, "This seems to be a prank comparing the apple prices in the U.S. market with the skyrocketing prices in the Korean market."
The controversial apples exported to the U.S. are estimated to have been harvested around January, before the apple prices surged in Korea. Despite this explanation, netizens responded with comments such as, "They say importing apples is difficult," "Gold apples for Koreans, water apples for Americans," "Apple prices are really cheap," "Why are they sold so expensively in Korea?" and "It seems to be a problem with the distribution system."
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