Buying Kimjang Ingredients at Large Supermarkets Costs 470,000 Won... Up 12.7% from Last Year

Traditional markets at 360,000 won... 1.4% increase from last year
Korea Price Association surveys 15 items including cabbage, radish, and salt

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] The prices of kimchi-making ingredients have risen by 12.7% in large supermarkets and 1.4% in traditional markets compared to last year.

According to a survey conducted by the Korea Price Association on the 27th and 28th across traditional markets and large supermarkets in six major cities nationwide, the average cost of 15 types of kimchi ingredients for a family of four was found to be 360,450 KRW in traditional markets and 473,090 KRW in large supermarkets.

The nationwide average price for 16 heads of napa cabbage was 74,600 KRW in traditional markets, down 9.2% from last year, but 63,750 KRW in large supermarkets, up 25.7%. Napa cabbage was the only item among the 15 products where large supermarkets had a more competitive price, due to securing supply through pre-contract cultivation and expanded distribution facilities.

For radishes (based on 11 pieces), prices remained high due to poor growth caused by insufficient rainfall. They were traded at 27,500 KRW in traditional markets, up 42.9% from last year, and 28,760 KRW in large supermarkets, up 73.5%.

The price of peeled garlic (2.5 kg) was 26,250 KRW in traditional markets and 34,910 KRW in large supermarkets, rising 7% and 14.3% respectively compared to the previous year.

Salt prices also increased due to worsening weather conditions and a reduction in the area of major salt production sites such as Sinan. Solar salt (7 kg) was traded at 12,140 KRW in traditional markets, up 3.7%, and 30,160 KRW in large supermarkets, up 7.7%. Flower salt (2 kg) was 2,900 KRW in traditional markets, up 16.5%, and 3,460 KRW in large supermarkets, up 8.8%.

Red pepper powder (3 kg) was priced at 92,380 KRW in traditional markets and 143,480 KRW in large supermarkets. Water dropwort (2 kg) was 21,670 KRW in traditional markets and 36,190 KRW in large supermarkets.

The price differences between traditional markets and large supermarkets were greatest for solar salt (59.7%), water dropwort (40.1%), red pepper powder (35.6%), and peeled garlic (24.8%), with traditional markets being more affordable.

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