SEOUL: (Bernama-Yonhap) South Korean confectionery and food makers decided to increase the prices of their products amid persisting cost pressures stemming from the war in West Asia, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Nongshim Co., the producer behind the globally popular Shin Ramyun, decided to increase the wholesale prices of products from 43 brands by an average of 5.8 per cent starting next month, including cup noodles, snacks and beverages, the company said.
Following the increase, the retail price of the company's flagship Shrimp Crackers is expected to increase to 1,600 won (US$1.09) from 1,500 won.
It marks the first time in 17 months that the company has raised the price of the snack brand.
Nongshim explained the latest price hike was an "inevitable" decision, given worsening business conditions and increasing cost pressures due to the Korean won's depreciation and rising oil prices amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
But the company decided to exclude packaged instant "ramyun" from the price hike this time, in an effort to tame inflation, despite the product accounting for 63 per cent of its sales, it said.
CJ Foodville Co. also said it decided to raise the prices of its bread and cake products sold at the Tous les Jours bakery chain starting July 31 but left out popular items in an effort to ease the burden on consumers.
The latest decision was due to a rise in ingredient prices, such as oil and eggs, as well as other costs, the company added.
BR Korea Co., the local operator of Dunkin' Donuts, will also raise the prices of 39 products by an average of 6.5 per cent starting Aug 2 due to rising costs, the company said.
Inflationary pressures have worsened recently amid the won's weakness and increasing oil prices as tensions have escalated between the United States and Iran.
Brent crude futures, the international oil benchmark, topped US$100 per barrel Thursday amid escalating conflict inside the crucial oil waterway of the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea is highly dependent on oil imports, with some 95 per cent of oil imported from West Asia transiting the strait. - Bernama-Yonhap
