Housewife's 'Scream' as Toilet Paper, Soap, Instant Rice, and Ramen Cost Over 100,000 Won at the Mart

True Prices, Prices of Essential Goods Including General Industrial Products and Processed Foods All Rise in March
Impact of COVID-19... Raw Material Price Surge, Product Supply Imbalance, and Distribution Margin Expansion Factors
Panic Buying Continues for Some Items Like Ramyeon and Instant Rice... Increased Burden on Grocery Prices

People packing products after shopping at a large supermarket in Seoul. The photo is not related to the article.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] "I had to pay attention to cleaning and wash well, so I bought toilet paper, wet wipes, soap, body wash, and so on. I also purchased cereal, bread, and ramen for the children who cannot go to school, and it easily exceeded 100,000 won. With prices fluctuating in this situation, I feel overwhelmed as household burdens seem to be increasing." On the morning of the 17th at a large supermarket in Seoul, housewife Park In-young (Bangbae-dong, 36) was surprised when she looked at the receipt. She had bought the same items last month, but the price difference was significant. When she asked the store staff why the prices had risen, she only received a vague answer that "it seems that many items' selling prices have been adjusted due to various factors."

As prices of major daily necessities such as general industrial products and processed foods soar, the burden on ordinary households is increasing. This is interpreted as being caused by various factors such as a sharp rise in raw material costs, supply-demand imbalances of products, and expanded distribution margins. The hoarding phenomenon of daily necessities is also expected to intensify, so the upward trend in grocery prices is expected to continue for the time being.

According to Chamgagyeok, a comprehensive price information portal site operated by the Korea Consumer Agency, the selling prices of major products such as general industrial products and processed foods in March (based on the second week) rose compared to last month. Chamgagyeok surveys and provides the selling prices of products sold by nationwide distribution outlets (large supermarkets, corporate supermarkets, department stores, traditional markets, convenience stores), reflecting the actual prices consumers pay regardless of whether the companies raised prices or not.

The dominant analysis is that the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) influenced the March price increases. As COVID-19 rapidly spread worldwide, becoming a pandemic, manufacturers raised their shipment prices for items with disrupted raw material supply. Earlier this year, many items raised shipment prices due to minimum wage increases and raw material cost hikes. For items with increased demand due to hoarding but limited supply, distributors adjusted selling prices. Independently, as the economic recession rapidly progressed, many items adjusted prices to maintain profits, inevitably passing the burden onto consumers and drawing criticism.

◆Selling prices of toilet paper, wet wipes, batteries, and butane gas also rose= Most general industrial products saw price increases. The selling price of Duracell Ultra Powercheck AAA batteries (2-pack, Korea P&G) rose from 3,019 won in February to 3,384 won in March. Rubber gloves, Clean Wrap rubber gloves (medium size, Clean Wrap), surged from 4,410 won to 4,880 won.

Prices of butane gas, disinfectants, and insecticides also fluctuated. Alps Gas (1 unit, Taeyang Industry) rose from 2,403 won to 2,563 won. F-Killa aerosol unscented (500 ml, SC Johnson Korea) increased from 5,362 won to 5,450 won, and Home Keeper water-based aerosol (500 ml, Henkel Home Care Korea) rose from 4,993 won to 5,039 won.

Fabric deodorizers, cleaners, and laundry detergents also saw price adjustments. Safran Care subtle scent (900 ml, LG Household & Health Care) and Febreze clean unscented (37 ml, Korea P&G) rose from 6,777 won and 5,374 won to 7,430 won and 5,423 won, respectively. Mugeunmudae bathroom cleaner (500 ml, Pigeon) and Homestar mold remover (480 ml, LG Household & Health Care) increased from 5,236 won and 4,615 won to 5,317 won and 4,989 won, respectively. Tech powder refill (4 kg, LG Household & Health Care) jumped from 17,872 won to 19,016 won.

Sanitary bags, kitchen towels, and bleach prices also rose. Clean Bag (100 sheets, Clean Wrap) increased slightly from 2,590 won to 2,607 won, Deluxe Kitchen Towel (540 sheets, Yuhan-Kimberly) rose from 7,716 won to 8,240 won. Oxygen-based bleach Yuhanjen (1 kg, Yuhan Corporation) went up from 9,343 won to 9,453 won, and Tech Oxygen Clean (1.4 kg, 2-pack, LG Household & Health Care) surged from 13,767 won to 17,533 won.

Prices of tissue paper, toilet rolls, and wet wipes were also adjusted. Jalpulleun Jip moisturizing beauty tissue (3-pack, Mirae Life) rose from 9,199 won to 9,545 won, Kleenex Deluxe (3-pack, Yuhan-Kimberly) increased from 7,438 won to 7,719 won. Kleenex Deco Soft 3-ply (24 rolls, Yuhan-Kimberly) was adjusted from 21,075 won to 21,282 won. Wet wipes Kleenex Su & Su (cap type, 70 sheets, 6-pack, Yuhan-Kimberly) rose from 11,649 won to 12,096 won.

An employee is organizing ramen at a large supermarket in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. Photo is not related to the article.

◆Surging product demand... Price increases centered on best-selling processed foods= Prices of processed foods with high demand also fluctuated. For snacks, Chip Potato Original (60g, Nongshim) rose from 1,286 won to 1,322 won, and Lotte Ghana Mild (34g, 3-pack, Lotte Confectionery) increased from 2,196 won to 2,314 won. Ice creams Melona (Binggrae) and Chaltteok Gukhwa Bread (Lotte Food) were adjusted from 634 won and 1,191 won to 655 won and 1,255 won, respectively.

Ramen prices, which experienced hoarding, also rose. Samyang Ramen (5-pack, Samyang Foods) increased slightly from 3,422 won to 3,495 won, Shin Ramyun (5-pack, Nongshim) from 3,630 won to 3,660 won, and Jin Ramen (mild flavor, 5-pack, Ottogi) from 2,972 won to 3,012 won. Cup ramen Paldo Wang Ttukgeong (110g, Paldo) changed from 1,042 won to 1,053 won.

Prices of cereal, instant rice, and cup rice, which were among the best-selling items due to COVID-19, also rose. Special K Original (480g, Nongshim Kellogg's) increased from 6,566 won to 7,183 won, Kellogg's Corn Frost (600g, Nongshim Kellogg's) was adjusted from 5,358 won to 5,511 won. Delicious Ottogi Rice (210g, 3-pack, Ottogi) rose from 3,798 won to 3,997 won, and CJ Hetbahn Cupban Seaweed Soup Rice (167g, CJ CheilJedang) increased from 2,950 won to 3,096 won.

Working mom Choi Hyun-ae (Mok-dong, 42) said, "I understand that prices of products with high demand due to COVID-19 have risen, but I don't know why rubber gloves or batteries have increased in price," adding, "It is nothing but opportunistic profiteering taking advantage of the anxious situation."

A Korea Consumer Agency official explained, "We conduct surveys based on actual selling prices, and it is true that many items' prices rose in March," adding, "However, the reasons for the increases are complex."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.