[Report] "Special Deals Including US Eggs" Weekend Retailers' All-Out Effort to Control Chuseok Prices

On the afternoon of the 10th, eggs were displayed at a large supermarket in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The supermarket applied the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' consumption promotion discount coupon, selling first-grade large eggs at 6,400 won per carton (30 eggs), with a limit of one carton per person at 5,760 won. They also stocked relatively cheaper American eggs (fresh American eggs, 30 eggs for 3,980 won) to expand consumer choices.

"Even though American eggs are being sold at low prices and there are many special promotions on agricultural and marine products, they are still expensive, so it's hard to reach for them easily." On the last weekend before the Chuseok holiday, major retail outlets in Seoul were launching an 'all-out effort to stabilize prices' through special sales events. Citizens visiting large supermarkets and markets hesitated to purchase items, picking them up and putting them down, feeling the higher cost of living compared to previous years.

◆American Eggs 2,400 Won Cheaper per Carton

At a large supermarket in Mapo-gu, American eggs (fresh American eggs, 30-count for 3,980 won), priced at about two-thirds of domestic eggs, were popular. To alleviate consumer concerns about imported eggs, the store displayed signs stating that thorough washing and verification were conducted in the exporting country, and quarantine and hygiene inspections were strictly carried out upon import, with notices saying "Feel safe purchasing imported eggs" posted throughout the store.

Domestic fresh first-grade large eggs were priced at 6,400 won per carton (30-count), but with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' consumption promotion discount coupon applied, they were sold at 5,760 won per carton, limited to one carton per person. Although egg prices dropped slightly compared to last week, interest in imported eggs, which were nearly 2,500 won cheaper per carton, was high. A housewife in her 40s, Ms. Lee, who hesitated for a while before picking up American eggs, said, "When I visit in the evening, the special-priced 30-count eggs are always sold out, but this time there was stock left, and there were also good-priced imported eggs, so I could compare different types and choose."

◆Government and Retailers' All-Out Effort to Stabilize Prices

As part of the government's Chuseok livelihood stabilization measures, supply of 16 essential items has been expanded, leading to a downward trend in prices of major products. According to aT, as of the 10th, the price of radish (1 piece) was 2,045 won, down 8.3% from the 30th of last month. The price of apples (10 Hongro apples) was 24,762 won, down 4.5%; pork belly (100g) was 2,360 won, down 13.2%; and chicken (1kg dressed) was 5,096 won, down 6.1%. The price of rice (20kg), designated as a separately managed item by the government, also fell by 3.5%. Over the weekend, supermarkets planned some major seasonal products as special-priced items and offered them at even lower prices. At a large supermarket in Yeongdeungpo-gu, 11 apples could be purchased for 9,920 won. At Yeongdeungpo Traditional Market, apple prices were also below the average retail price, at about 5,000 won for 4 apples.

Although prices of major items have decreased, the perceived cost of living remains high, and citizens shopping found it difficult to pick up products easily. Mrs. Baek, a housewife met at the large supermarket B, said, "I went to both the supermarket and the market, but nothing is cheap, whether fruit or meat," adding, "Since many people cannot gather, I plan to prepare only a little food compared to previous years."

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