[Anchor]

It is time for Friendly Economy on Friday, and reporter Han Jiyeon is here with us. Han, what do you have for us today (the 2nd)?

[Reporter]

We are talking about chicken prices.

Although the wholesale price of chicken used for fried chicken has dropped by nearly 40% over the past six months, chicken prices remain unchanged, prompting President Lee Jae-myung to say he will look into the matter.

Sizes No. 9 and No. 10 chickens are mainly used for making fried chicken.

The numbers refer to the size of the chicken, with No. 9 and No. 10 weighing around 1kg.

The market price of these chickens was in the 5,300 won range per 1kg back in March, but dropped to the 3,300 won range by mid-last month.

However, the price of fried chicken has remained the same.

Yesterday, while writing this article about chicken, I opened a delivery app to order some.

Plain fried chicken was in the early-to-mid 20,000 won range, and some seasoned chicken menus were priced at 27,000 won.

When adding delivery fees, some orders approach 30,000 won, leading to talks of effectively entering the "30,000 won chicken era."

President Lee Jae-myung shared an article on X the day before yesterday pointing out that chicken meat prices have gone down while chicken prices stay the same, writing that he would look into it.

The Fair Trade Commission also stated that it would review response measures, though it clarified that it is not launching an investigation right away but rather monitoring market conditions.

Previously, when the prices of flour and sugar fell following the president's remarks on inspections, ramen and snack companies successively lowered their prices, drawing heightened attention this time as well.

Conversely, in June when chicken meat prices surged significantly, one company effectively raised prices by reducing the weight of its boneless chicken menu from 800g to 700g.

[Anchor]

Chicken prices have certainly become very expensive.

[Reporter]

The industry feels unfairly treated, arguing that chicken prices are not determined by the price of chicken meat alone.

First, major companies such as BBQ, BHC, and Kyochon emphasize that they have not raised their prices for two years.

They claim that their headquarters absorbed the burden even when chicken meat prices skyrocketed.

They also state that they are disclosing the weight before cooking in accordance with the government-introduced chicken weight labeling system, which requires indicating the chicken weight on the menu.

Furthermore, making a whole chicken requires more than just raw chicken; costs for slaughtering, processing, marinating, and transporting are all involved.

On top of that, there are frying powder, sauce, labor costs, and store rent.

They add that intermediary commissions paid to delivery apps and rider delivery fees continue to rise.

The method of purchasing chickens is also a variable.

Because chicken prices fluctuate so wildly, headquarters often purchase them at pre-determined prices set on a multi-month to annual basis.

Therefore, it is not structured in a way that lower market prices immediately translate to cheaper procurement costs.

Some point out that the situation differs from ramen or snacks.

Ramen is produced in factories so headquarters can simply lower the factory release price, but since fried chicken is directly operated by franchise owners, lowering the price directly connects to the owners' profits.

Consequently, many in the industry predict it will not be as easy to lower prices immediately like ramen.

[Anchor]

What is the final topic?

[Reporter]

Onnuri Gift Certificates are undergoing a reorganization for the first time in 18 years.

Users can enjoy up to 10% benefits when using them in traditional markets.

Onnuri Gift Certificates are vouchers used like cash in traditional markets and neighborhood shops.

Their advantage is that they can be purchased at a discount.

Currently, buying them digitally rather than in paper form gives a 7% discount regardless of where they are used, but starting next year, they will offer a 5% discount at the time of purchase plus cash back depending on where they are spent.

For example, if you buy 100,000 won worth of vouchers for 95,000 won and spend them at a traditional market, you get 5,000 won back.

In the end, it is like shopping for 100,000 won worth of goods for 90,000 won.

If you shop for 300,000 won a month, you save 30,000 won.

If you use them in local commercial districts, meaning neighborhood shopping centers that accept Onnuri vouchers, you get a 3% cash back, totaling an 8% benefit.

However, there is something important to keep in mind.

If you use them in the capital area's commercial districts, you only receive a 5% discount without any cash back.

This is actually a reduction from the current 7%.

There is also welcome news.

Unused accumulated card points can now be exchanged for Onnuri Gift Certificates.

Instead of having to ask every store whether they accept Onnuri vouchers, you will be able to check directly on Naver or Kakao Maps.

There are also plans to provide regional tourist attraction admission tickets or accommodation discount coupons if you spend a certain amount or more in local areas.

Criticism had been raised that usage was overly concentrated—to the extent that the top spot for Onnuri payments in the first half of this year was a pharmacy in Seoul rumored to sell Mounjaro cheaply—so this time, benefits will be concentrated on traditional markets and regional areas.