"Mom, I Want to Eat Plenty of Korean Beef and Pork Belly"... How to Get 'Half-Price Discounts' on Groceries [The Essentials of Benefits]

Expanded Discounts on Agricultural, Livestock, and Fisheries Products in May
4,373 Processed Food Items Also Included

Editor's Note'The more you know, the more you see and the more you save.' Although we live in an era overflowing with information, there are still many things we miss out on. [The Essentials of Benefits] delivers useful news that can help you save money in your daily life, and that could cost you if you overlook it.

#A, an office worker in their 30s living alone in Seoul, has recently been feeling burdened by higher-than-expected grocery bills every time they shop. Even just a few items that frequently appear on the table, such as vegetables, eggs, and meats, quickly add up to nearly 100,000 won. As a result, A decided to keep an eye on the agricultural, livestock, and seafood discount events being held at large supermarkets and online malls.

Image of agricultural and livestock products to assist with article understanding. The Asia Business Daily Database

According to the 'Consumer Price Trends for April 2026' released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the consumer price index for April rose by 0.5% compared to the previous month and by 2.6% compared to the same month last year. The living price index, which focuses on items frequently purchased by consumers, also increased by 2.9% year-on-year. As consumers continue to feel the burden of rising prices, there is growing interest in grocery discount events.

A citizen shopping at a large supermarket in downtown Seoul. Photo by The Asia Business Daily

In response, the government and the distribution industry are expanding discount support in May, known as Family Month, to help reduce grocery costs. The range of discounted items includes a wide variety of agricultural, livestock, and seafood products, as well as processed foods. By checking the event periods and participating retailers, shoppers can effectively lower their actual grocery expenses.

Up to 40% Off Agricultural & Livestock Products... Up to 50% Off Korean Beef and Pork

First is the agricultural and livestock product discount support. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, a total of 10 billion won in discount support will be provided for agricultural and livestock products during May and June. In addition to existing discounted items like rice, eggs, and chicken, certain vegetables and fruits have also been added to the list. Representative examples include onions, cabbage, tomatoes, Korean melons, and zucchini, with discount rates of up to 40%.

However, the event periods differ by item. Discounts on rice, eggs, and chicken will continue through May 27, while discounts on vegetables and fruits will be offered sequentially by item from mid- to late May. To maximize savings, it is more effective to purchase needed items during their respective event periods rather than doing all your shopping at once.

For higher-priced items like meats, the impact of discounts can be even greater. Korean beef—specifically sirloin, brisket, and round—will be offered at up to 50% off until May 10, while pork—specifically pork belly and shoulder—will be discounted at up to 50% off until May 31. Since this is a season with many family gatherings, checking the items and event periods can help ease the grocery burden.

Discounts on Ramen, Bread, and Snacks... 4,373 Processed Food Items Included

Discounts on processed foods are also underway. Essential everyday items such as ramen, packaged bread, and snacks are being offered at special prices or through buy-one-get-one-free deals at large supermarkets, convenience stores, and online malls. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, this processed food discount covers a total of 4,373 items, with maximum discounts of up to 58%.

Because processed foods are purchased frequently, the effect is noticeable. In particular, single-person households and dual-income families tend to repeatedly purchase items such as ramen, bread, ready-made meals, and snacks, so it is beneficial to compare promotions across different retailers. Even for the same item, the event type and discount rate can vary depending on whether you shop at a convenience store, large supermarket, or online mall.

Seafood Discounts Up to 50%... 56 Retailers Nationwide Participate

Promotional image for the May special exhibition at the 2026 Korea Fisheries Expo. Korea Fisheries Association Instagram

Separate discount events are also available for seafood. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is holding a 'May Seafood Special Discount' from May 6 to 24, offering major seafood products at up to 50% off. A total of 56 retailers are participating, including 24 offline distribution stores nationwide such as Emart and Lotte Mart, as well as 32 online malls including Kakao, Lotte ON, and Naver.

Discounted items include popular fish species such as pollock, mackerel, hairtail, squid, yellow croaker, dried anchovies, as well as seaweed and abalone. Since seafood prices are subject to significant seasonal fluctuations, checking whether your frequently consumed items are included in the discount list can help reduce costs.

Discount information for each item can be found on their respective official event pages. Participating companies and items for agricultural and livestock product discounts can be checked on the 'Agricultural and Livestock Product Discount Support' website, while participating retailers for the seafood discount event can be found on the '2026 Korea Fisheries Expo' website. For processed food discounts, it is recommended to check each retailer's event page or app—large supermarkets, convenience stores, and online malls. Even for the same item, the final payment amount can vary depending on the retailer, event type, and whether coupons are applied, so it is advantageous to compare before shopping.

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