2023-09-10 01:31:00
August consumer price trend, up 3.4% compared to the previous year, retail prices fluctuated and traditional markets were gradually affected. “As a result of low temperature damage to major seasonal products such as apples and pears.”
“I think it’s 1,000 to 2,000 won more expensive than last year.”
On the followingnoon of the 8th, Songjeong Daily Market in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.
As seasonal fruits such as grapes, apples, and pears were displayed in front of the greengrocer, it was easy to experience the changing seasons and the atmosphere of the upcoming holiday.
Shine muskets and wild grapes, just in time for shipment, were moved in nicely packaged boxes, while red-colored roe and golden-colored pears that appeared on the market ahead of the holiday caught the attention of customers.
Customers went from one fruit and vegetable store to another in the crowded market, asking one by one the prices of apples and pears, which are known to have recently risen in price.
One greengrocer was charging a colander containing 6 apples for 20,000 won, while a colander containing 10 apples deeper in the market was charging the same price. There were a variety of pears, with some charging 10,000 won for a colander of 3 pears, while others charging 20,000 won for 4 pears.
One customer reached into the colander filled with apples, picked up the reddest apple, and looked closely at every inch of the skin. This customer, who hesitated for a while following putting down the apples, asked the merchant, ‘Do you sell half colanders?’
Customers felt the increase in holiday prices at the 5-day market held three weeks before Chuseok. “Most of them have gone up by regarding 1,000 to 2,000 won compared to last year just before Chuseok,” they said in agreement, hesitant to take out one more bill from their thin wallet. Merchants also looked at the bills taken out by customers with pitiful eyes and complained that it was a ‘losing business.’
The reason for the fluctuating prices in traditional markets can be found in a recently released analysis by Statistics Korea.
According to the August consumer price trend recently announced by Statistics Korea, the consumer price inflation rate last month rose 3.4% compared to the previous year. This is the largest increase in four months since last April (3.7%).
Among these, fruit prices rose 13.1% from a year ago, recording the largest increase since January of last year (13.6%). By item, compared to the previous year, apples (30.5%), tangerines (27.5%), peaches (23.8%), strawberries (20.0%), watermelons (18.6%), chestnuts (16.3%), melons (10.6%), and pineapples (10.6%) %) rose significantly in that order.
In particular, the prices of apples and chestnuts, which are popular items for people in their 20s, have risen significantly.
The retail price of apples (Hongro), which are mainly used for ancestral rite tables, is 29,100 won for 10 pieces at Yangdong Market in Gwangju, which is lower than the previous year (31,200 won), but the wholesale price is 77,600 won per 10 kg of product, compared to the previous year (49,480 won). It is nearly twice as expensive.
The retail price of pears (wonhuang) also recorded 32,500 won, well above the average of 26,375 won, and the wholesale price was 53,600 won per 15 kg of product, up nearly 10,000 won from the previous year (43,800 won).
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs understands that the production of major fruits has decreased due to accumulated damage and pests and diseases caused by abnormal weather such as low temperatures that have continued since March of this year, and wholesale prices are being formed high due to the low product-to-product ratio.
In order to manage Chuseok prices stably, the government plans to supply prices of Chuseok items for people in their 20s at a level that is at least 5% lower than last year. To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is promoting measures to stabilize the supply and demand of major holy water products until the Chuseok holiday, and will supply 149,000 tons of holy water products to the market, the largest amount ever, to ease the price burden felt by the people.
On the 10th, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, “Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, we have formed a supply and demand stabilization task force and are checking the supply situation and price trends for each item every day.” He added, “We will do our best to stabilize the supply and demand of agricultural and livestock products by responding quickly if any factors of instability arise.” “He said.
[광주=뉴시스]
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