Retailers Launch Ultra-Low Price Competition for Samgyeopsal Day
Korean Pork Consumption per Capita Reaches 30kg, Double That of Chicken or Beef
As the livestock cooperative designated March 3, a date with three 3s, as 'Samgyeopsal Day' to support pig farms, the public's love for pork has been proven by numbers. Last year, the average pork consumption per person was 30kg, which is twice the consumption of chicken or beef.
On the 3rd, citizens lined up to purchase at the Samgyeopsal store in E-Mart Eunpyeong branch, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
According to the 'Agricultural Outlook 2025' report by the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) on the 3rd, the estimated pork consumption per capita last year was 30.0kg, a 6.8% increase compared to the average consumption (28.1kg). It was 1.4% higher than the previous year's consumption (29.6kg). During the same period, the consumption of chicken (15.2kg) and beef (14.9kg) was about half that amount.
This trend was also reflected in consumer panel surveys. According to a survey conducted by KREI from December 16 to 22 last year with 507 consumer panelists, 63.2% of respondents chose pork as their preferred meat to eat at home, the highest proportion. This was followed by beef at 21.1%, chicken at 14.7%, and duck at 1.0%.
Among pork cuts, samgyeopsal was the most popular, accounting for 60.0%, well over half. Next were neck meat (24.5%), ribs (7.8%), and front and hind leg meat (4.4%).
KREI forecasted that pork production this year would be around 1.13 million tons, similar to last year. The wholesale price of pork this year is expected to be 5,100 to 5,300 KRW per kg, similar to last year's level (5,239 KRW). Last year's pork self-sufficiency rate was 72.0%.
Retailers Engage in Ultra-Low Price War Ahead of Peak Season
On March 3, Samgyeopsal Day, the retail industry engaged in an ultra-low price war for pork. The price of imported pork dropped to the 700 KRW range per 100g. Emart is selling U.S. and Canadian samgyeopsal at 779 KRW per 100g until the 3rd. Domestic samgyeopsal and neck meat are sold at 966 KRW per 100g. Compared to last year's Samgyeopsal Day event price of 1,180 KRW per 100g, prices were lowered by about 18%, while the volume was more than doubled.
Coupang is offering over 100 products including samgyeopsal, pork neck, and pork jowl at special prices until the 4th. They introduced 'Domestic Korean Pork Samgyeopsal' (refrigerated) starting at 1,776 KRW per 100g, discounted by 52%. Oasis Market offers various domestic Korean pork cuts including samgyeopsal at up to 50% discounted prices.
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