Gwangju and Jeonnam See Slight Price Increase in April... Dining Out Costs Jump

April Price Trends in Honam Region Statistics
Gwangju Up 1.9%, Jeonnam Up 2.2%
Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Prices Drop
Sashimi and Insurance Premiums Continue to Rise

In April, consumer prices in Gwangju and Jeonnam rose by 1.9% and 2.2%, respectively, continuing their upward trend. While overall price indicators remained stable, the actual experience of consumers differed, as service fees such as sashimi, dining out, and insurance premiums continued to rise. In contrast, prices of fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits dropped significantly due to climate factors.

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According to the "April 2025 Consumer Price Trends" released by the Honam Regional Statistics Office on May 2, the consumer price index in Gwangju was 116.76 (2020=100), up 1.9% from the same month of the previous year. Compared to the previous month, it increased by 0.2%. Goods prices fell by 0.2% from the previous month, while service prices rose by 0.5%. Within the service sector, personal services increased by 0.7% from the previous month and 3.0% from the previous year.

In Jeonnam, the consumer price index for the same period was 117.51, up 2.2% from the same month of the previous year and 0.1% from the previous month. Goods prices fell by 0.3%, while service prices rose by 0.5%. The personal services category in Jeonnam also recorded a 3.6% increase.

The living necessities price index in Gwangju rose by 0.1% from the previous month and 1.8% from the same month a year earlier. In Jeonnam, it fell by 0.1% from the previous month but rose by 2.3% year-on-year. Food prices in Gwangju increased by 0.5% from the previous month and 3.2% from the previous year, while in Jeonnam, they rose by 0.2% and 3.2%, respectively, over the same periods.

On the other hand, the fresh food index dropped sharply in both regions. In Gwangju, it fell by 3.3% from the previous month, and in Jeonnam, by 2.7%. In Gwangju, fresh vegetables recorded -6.0% and fresh fruits -3.8%, while in Jeonnam, the figures were -6.5% and -2.8%, respectively. However, prices for fresh fish increased by 1.2% in Gwangju and 1.7% in Jeonnam.

An official from Statistics Korea explained, "Fresh food prices have fallen due to seasonal factors and weather conditions, but service fees continue to rise steadily, mainly due to higher labor costs."

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