It was tallied that buying kimchi-making ingredients at traditional markets is about 42,000 won cheaper than at big-box stores.
The Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) said on the 17th that a survey of prices for 15 kimchi-making ingredients at 37 traditional markets nationwide and 37 nearby big-box stores from the 5th to the 7th found this.
Based on a family of four, the average expense for making kimchi was found to be 350,447 won at traditional markets and 393,007 won at big-box stores. Traditional markets were about 42,560 won (10.8%) cheaper than big-box stores.
Of the 15 items, 12 were cheaper at traditional markets than at big-box stores. Ginger was 4,121 won at traditional markets, about 30.0% cheaper than big-box stores (5,888 won). Items cheaper at traditional markets than at big-box stores included scallions (27.3%), water parsley (27.3%), and salted shrimp (19.2%), in that order.
Park Seong-hyo, SEMAS chair, said, "Buying this year's kimchi supplies at traditional markets is expected to help reduce the household burden," and added, "We hope many people will visit traditional markets and prepare kimchi frugally."