2012-9-28

The finance ministry warned food prices would spike this Chuseok weekend, despite government's best efforts to ease the economic burden for both farmers and consumers.

According to data from local distributors, the average cost of a tomato has risen more than 500 won from last week, to 7,200 won per kilogram, while Korean beef has risen about 200 won to 6,700 won per 100 grams.

Cabbage also rose slightly and is selling at an average price of nearly 1,800 won per 100 grams, and grapes jumped 350 won this week, to an average price of 7,400 won per kilogram.

In a survey released earlier this month by Nielson Korea, the average family is expected to spend a total of 540,000 won this year on Chuseok, up roughly 70,000 won from normal costs. However, it is not all gloomy news. Some foods including Korean pork, squid and mackerel did record a slight drop on-week for holiday shoppers this weekend .(tbs)