"Traditional Markets Are 59,000 Won Cheaper Than Large Supermarkets for Seol Charye Table Expenses"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] This year, the cost of setting up a Seol Charyesang (Lunar New Year ancestral rite table) was found to be approximately 59,000 KRW cheaper when purchased at traditional markets compared to large supermarkets.

The Small Enterprise and Market Service disclosed on the 16th the results of a price comparison survey conducted from the 3rd to the 6th of this month on 27 Seol ritual items at 37 traditional markets and 37 nearby large supermarkets.

The average cost of preparing a Seol Charyesang for four people was 270,656 KRW at traditional markets and 329,473 KRW at large supermarkets, showing that traditional markets were about 58,817 KRW (17.9%) cheaper than large supermarkets.

By category, traditional markets showed price advantages over large supermarkets in vegetables (53.6%), seafood (28.3%), and meat (19.1%).

Among the 27 items surveyed, traditional markets were cheaper than large supermarkets in 19 items. The items where traditional markets had price advantages included gosari (bracken fern) (66.7%), peeled doraji (balloon flower root) (65.6%), jujube (47.7%), frozen pollack (dongtaepo) (45.5%), mung bean sprouts (42.8%), and beef (for soup) (34.7%).

Compared to last year's prices for Seol ritual items, traditional markets saw a 3.1% increase (from 262,645 KRW to 270,656 KRW), while large supermarkets experienced a 3.6% decrease (from 341,859 KRW to 329,473 KRW).

Fruit and vegetable prices have remained stable due to increased production and storage, but some vegetables such as green onions and radishes have shown price increases recently due to cold waves and heavy snowfall.

Pork prices have risen despite increased production and supply, attributed to increased dining-out demand and heightened concerns over African Swine Fever (ASF).

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