As the high price march continues every day, consumers going shopping for the New Year are sighing at the expensive shopping cart prices.
On the afternoon of the 19th, just before the Lunar New Year holiday, customers flocked to a traditional market in Juan-dong, Michuhol-gu, Incheon to buy side dishes and ancient rituals.
However, even in this market, where goods are relatively cheaper than large markets or department stores, he could not avoid the steep increase in prices.
A housewife looked around a vegetable store holding a plastic bag with dried yellow pollock sticking out of it in both hands.
The middle-aged man, who was dragging a small shopping bag and picking out ancient rituals, said to himself, “It’s gone up a lot,” and flipped through peeled chestnuts and dried fish.
Namo (67), who was shopping, said, “I often come to the traditional market because it is close to my house. One cucumber used to cost 1,000 won, but today they ask for 2,000 won “It’s scary to set up,” he said.
Mr said. Park (70), who came to buy meat, “I gave 2,000 won for a bunch of chives three days ago, but today I bought it for 4,000 won.”
In fact, there are differences for each item, but large vegetables and livestock products have risen significantly due to various factors such as an increase in the price of energy required for farming or a sluggish harvest.
As the inflation rate of more than 5% continued for 8 consecutive months from May to December last year, the price of shopping carts also took a direct hit.
According to the agricultural product distribution information of the Korea Agri-Fishery and Food Trade Corporation on the 22nd, the retail price of green onions and chives on the 19th was 10,989 won per 1kg, which was 2,720 won (24.7%) higher than 8,269 won a year according to.
The retail price of spinach also increased by 1,651 won (19.15%) from a year ago to 8,621 won per 1 kg. The retail price of a carton of eggs and milk (1L) has risen by 185 won and 524 won, respectively, from the previous year.
Consumers’ wallets are not as open as they were in the past due to steep price increases, and merchants are also worried.
The price of raw materials essential for food, such as cooking oil and flour, has skyrocketed, and the import price of various items has risen, but it is difficult to reflect it in the market selling price.
Mr A, who runs an ancient ritual shop in the market, said, “Compared to last year, the price of goods sold in our shop has generally risen by around 10%, but every customer who comes complaining that it was too expensive.”
The owner of a nearby vegetable shop shouted, saying that half a bunch of chives costs 5,000 were won and a bunch of spinach costs 3,000 were won.
This trader said, “I feel that the price of vegetables has risen a lot this year,” and “sometimes customers are surprised to see the price and don’t buy it.”
An official from the Seokbawi Market Traders Association said, “There is a limit on raising the price of goods sold in the market, but the price of raw materials that are essential for business is skyrocketing, so traders are in big trouble.” But it’s not a big problem. easy situation,” he said.
