Seol Charyesang Cost '190,000 VS 270,000'... Reasons for the Difference

This year, the cost of setting up the Seol Charyesang (Lunar New Year ancestral rite table) has risen, adding pressure to grocery prices. The cost of the Seol Charyesang varies between 190,000 KRW and 270,000 KRW depending on the survey organization. This is because the number of items surveyed and the quantities of the same items differ.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on the 28th, the cost of setting up the Seol Charyesang was 203,349 KRW, a 3.9% increase compared to the previous year.

This survey was conducted based on a family of four across 23 regions nationwide, including 16 traditional markets and 34 large retail stores. By business type, traditional markets were 188,239 KRW, which is 13.8% cheaper than large retail stores at 218,446 KRW. By item, prices of zucchini and spinach, which are commonly used for jeon (Korean pancakes) and namul (seasoned vegetable dishes), fell by 18.6% and 6.2% respectively compared to the previous year, while dried persimmons and chestnuts also dropped by 18.5% and 9% respectively.

An aT official stated, "The prices of beef and pork, which were very low last year due to the base effect, have risen compared to the previous year. However, the Korean Beef and Pork Self-Help Fund organizations plan to hold discount events ranging from 20% to 50% from the 18th, so utilizing these offers could allow consumers to purchase more economically than the results of this survey."

The Korea Price Association conducted a price survey of the Charyesang costs two weeks before Seol and found that the nationwide average cost based on traditional markets was 274,940 KRW, a 6.3% increase from the previous year. The Price Association surveyed the Charyesang costs based on traditional markets. aT’s cost based on traditional markets is 188,239 KRW. The difference in Charyesang costs between the two organizations is 86,701 KRW.

First, the number of items differs between the two organizations: aT surveyed 24 items, while the Price Association surveyed 28 items. Naturally, the Price Association’s Charyesang cost is higher due to more items. The Price Association included six livestock products such as beef brisket and seoldo (a beef cut), pork loin and samgyeopsal (pork belly), chicken, and eggs, whereas aT included only four items: seoldo, brisket, pork front leg, and eggs.

Even for the same items, the quantities reflected differ. The Price Association included 5 pears, while aT included 3. For tofu, the Price Association included 5 blocks, while aT included 2 blocks. For cheongju (refined rice wine), the Price Association included one 1.8ℓ bottle, while aT included one 0.7ℓ bottle in their Charyesang cost survey.

An aT official said, "Various organizations conduct and announce surveys on Seol Charyesang costs during the Lunar New Year, but it is important to recognize that the surveyed regions, items, and specifications differ by organization. aT will continue to provide consumers with smart shopping information such as discount details to help them make informed purchases."