Puradak Chicken Prices Increase by Up to 1,000 KRW
Dong-A Otsuka Pocari Sweat Prices Also Rise
Rising Labor Costs, Raw Material Prices, and High Exchange Rates Drive Up Expenses
As the year 2025, the Year of the Blue Snake, begins, prices are rising across the board?from food items like chicken and beverages to daily necessities such as batteries and shampoo. Manufacturers claim that this was "unavoidable" due to increasing labor costs, abnormal weather conditions, and soaring raw material prices caused by a high exchange rate. Consumers expressed concern over the alarming signs of inflation, saying, "It feels like everything except our salaries is going up."
On the 2nd, Aiders F&B announced that, starting December 30 of last year, they raised prices on 10 chicken menu items at their Puradak Chicken brand by up to 1,000 KRW, excluding Basil Pesto, General Hot Chicken, and Pablo Chicken.
An Aiders F&B representative said, "Continuous price increases are ongoing in the dining industry due to raw materials, rent, and delivery app (commission) fees," adding, "This was an unavoidable measure to improve franchise profitability."
Coffee Bean also raised prices by 200 KRW on December 26 last year for beverages containing chocolate powder, such as Cafe Mocha and Double Chocolate, due to a sharp rise in cocoa prices, the main ingredient in chocolate.
Snack manufacturers recently announced product price increases citing rising costs of raw materials like chocolate and palm oil, which have been sequentially reflected in consumer prices at large supermarkets and convenience stores.
According to convenience store operators, from the previous day, Choco Song-i (50g) rose from 1,000 KRW to 1,200 KRW, Cham Bungeoppang (6 pieces) from 4,200 KRW to 4,500 KRW, Tokping Almond Chocolate (43g) from 1,500 KRW to 1,600 KRW, Squid Peanuts (98g) from 1,500 KRW to 1,600 KRW, and Protein Bar Pro (70g) from 2,500 KRW to 2,700 KRW. Prior to convenience stores, large supermarkets reflected the price increases of Haitai Confectionery and Orion products in consumer prices in December last year.
Nut products such as Bap and Mugerbon also saw price hikes. Bap Honey Butter Almond and other 40g products increased by 300 KRW from 2,200 KRW to 2,500 KRW, and Mugerbon Honey Peanuts (70g) rose by 100 KRW from 1,900 KRW to 2,000 KRW.
Beverages from Dong-A Otsuka, including Pocari Sweat, also increased by 100 KRW. Accordingly, OranC Pine Vitamin C and Narang Cider sold at convenience stores rose from 1,400 KRW to 1,500 KRW each. Prices for Pocari Sweat cans (240 ml) and Demi Soda (250 ml) also increased by 100 KRW, from 1,600 KRW to 1,700 KRW.
Prices for sanitary products sold at convenience stores also jumped: Tempo (10 pieces) rose from 6,800 KRW to 7,900 KRW, Mise-en-sc?ne shampoo (680 ml) from 17,000 KRW to 18,000 KRW, and the hand sanitizer I Kkaekkeutha increased from 7,900 KRW to 8,900 KRW.
Prices for 17 types of Energizer batteries at convenience stores increased by 100 to 500 KRW, and the hangover remedy HK Condition Stick also rose from 3,300 KRW to 3,900 KRW.
With the new year, cosmetic prices have also risen one after another. LG Household & Health Care’s O Hui raised prices by up to 6,000 KRW on major product lines such as The First, Prime, Miracle Moisture, and W Extreme the day before.
Able C&C increased prices on 11 Missha products and 7 A’PIEU products by up to 2,000 KRW starting the day before.
Amorepacific subsidiary Etude raised the price of its single eyeshadow "Look At My Eyes" from 5,500 KRW to 6,000 KRW, a 500 KRW increase, the day before.
An industry insider said, "With rising prices of raw materials such as cocoa, palm oil, and Robusta coffee, along with a sharp increase in the KRW/USD exchange rate, food, beverages, and daily necessities prices are expected to continue rising in the new year," adding, "The 'price war' to offer the same products at slightly lower prices is expected to intensify amid high inflation this year as well."
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