Direct success to the increase in milk prices on the 17th
Missing menus such as milk and cocoa, which children enjoy
“I’ll have to open a cafe with an Americano instead of a latte”
‘Milk Inflation’ (Milk + Inflation) The shockwave was hit right. Cafe menus containing milk are becoming a nuisance. There are even customers who do not drink coffee, or people who want to start a cafe that does not handle menus such as cafe latte, or remove milk and cocoa, which were included in the menu for babies and children, are found.
According to Hankyung.com’s comment on the 21st, with the milk price increase on the 17th, small cafes that mainly sell to local customers have been told that some menus containing milk will be completely excluded.
Mr. A, the owner of a small private cafe in Myeong-dong, Seoul, said it was difficult to raise the price because he was a regular vendor in the neighborhood. I’m considering taking it off the menu,” he said. He confessed.
Among those considering starting a cafe, there was also a response saying, “We wouldn’t even start a menu with milk.”
In a self-employed online community, Mr. B said, “Compared to a latte, Americano is consistently in high demand by office workers and students regardless of the season or time.
For the cafe industry, a rise in milk prices is seen as the second most fatal blow after a rise in coffee bean prices. Previously, the National Cafe Owners’ Cooperative issued a statement and emphasized that “cafes are the industry that consumes the most milk after coffee beans.” In particular, in the case of private cafes that are not franchises, there is an atmosphere of concern because they fear that regular customers will stop visiting after raising the price.
Mr. said C, who runs a private cafe in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, “At the beginning of this year, the price of 1 liter of milk was 1,600 won, but it went up to 2,000 (before the milk) price increase ). But, I’m worried that regular customers will leave if I raise the price of a latte, which sells well in my house.”
Cafes that use mainly dairy brand milk, which experienced a relatively large price increase, are not alone in their concerns. He suggested that it was difficult to replace the existing milk with cheap milk in order to maintain the taste of the milk menu.
Although Seoul Milk is the undisputed No. 1 in terms of market share, Maeil Dairies’ white milk has been found to be used quite often in the cafe industry. Maeil Dairies raised the price of 900ml white milk by 9.57% from 2610 won to 2860 won, surpassing 3,000 won per litre.
Mr D, the owner of a franchise cafe in Gaepo-dong, Seoul, which recently raised the price of a latte, the main item on the menu, said, “Maeil Dairy Milk has a high raw milk content and tastes savory. its unique taste determines the taste of a latte, so it is not possible to replace milk with cheap ones.” He added, “I have to use what is delivered from head office, so I can’t buy it separately.”
Mr E, who runs a dessert cafe, also said, “Depending on the milk, the taste of the dessert also changes, but Maeil Dairies’ milk suits my taste the most. It is difficult to change the milk used for a dessert because a special taste is important for a dessert.” I raised the 2,000 won price. The price of cream and sugar has risen, so it is difficult to prepare ingredients for the year-end Christmas season.”
Reporter Kim Se-rin, Hankyung.com celine@hankyung.com
