With the hottest days of summer approaching, demand for summer health foods such as Samgyetang is expected to increase. At the same time, the average price of a bowl of Samgyetang is nearing 18,000 won, adding to the burden of dining out. Although the price of fresh chicken has recently stabilized, the price of Samgyetang remains high due to rising inflation, which has led to increased labor and other incidental costs.

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According to the price information portal "Chamka Gyeok" operated by the Korea Consumer Agency, as of May, the average price of a bowl of Samgyetang at restaurants in Seoul was 17,654 won, up 4.6% (769 won) from the same period last year (16,885 won).

The average price of a single serving of Samgyetang in Seoul surpassed 15,000 won for the first time in July 2022, rose to the 16,000-won range in January 2023, and exceeded the 17,000-won range in July last year. At well-known restaurants, the price is much higher than the average. For example, famous Samgyetang specialty restaurants in Seoul such as Tosokchon, Nonhyeon Samgyetang, and Goryeo Samgyetang are already selling a basic bowl of Samgyetang for 20,000 won.

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Chicken prices are also high. BHC's "Bburinkle" costs 21,000 won, while Kyochon Chicken's "Honey Combo" is 23,000 won. BBQ's "Mara Hot Chicken" is sold for 28,000 won, and "Ttaengshock Chicken" and "Maepsody Chicken" are priced at 25,000 won and 24,500 won, respectively. When delivery fees (1,000 to 2,000 won) are added, the price of a single chicken nears 30,000 won.

While the prices of Samgyetang and chicken have both surpassed 20,000 won and continue to soar, the price of broiler chickens remains relatively stable. According to the Livestock Products Quality Evaluation Institute's distribution information, as of July 1, the average retail price of chicken per kilogram was 5,764 won, down 5.1% from the same period last year (6,073 won). The same trend is seen in wholesale prices. During the same period, the average transaction price of chicken delivered from slaughterhouses to large retail stores was 3,966 won per kilogram, a 15.5% decrease from the average price in the same month last year (4,694 won).

Fresh chicken section at Emart Yongsan branch.

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The supply of broiler chickens is also expected to remain stable. According to the Agricultural Outlook Center at the Korea Rural Economic Institute, the number of broilers slaughtered this month is expected to be between 72.6 million and 74.09 million, about 0.8% lower than the average year. However, there is a possibility of fluctuations depending on whether damage from heatwaves occurs. Regarding imported chicken, Thai chicken will arrive in Korea at the end of this month, and Brazilian chicken will be imported from the middle of next month. The government announced that, as Brazil has declared itself free of avian influenza (AI) and will submit supporting documents, imports of Brazilian chicken will fully resume after an evaluation.

Despite the stable supply of broiler chickens, Samgyetang prices continue to rise because the decrease in the farm price of fresh chicken is not reflected in the distribution process, while labor costs, rent, and other ingredient costs are rising rapidly due to persistent inflation. According to Statistics Korea, the price index for dining out rose from 2.9% in January to 3.0% in February, remaining in the 3% range for five consecutive months through last month. In the first quarter of this year, the average monthly dining-out expense per household was 417,000 won, up 2.5% from the same period last year (407,000 won). Compared to the first quarter of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, when the monthly dining-out expense per household was 323,000 won, the figure has risen rapidly, marking a 29.1% increase over six years.