Crates of grapes are displayed at a supermarket chain in Seoul on August 11, 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (AJU PRESS) – Rising prices of fruits and vegetables have left their mark on Koreans’ eating habits, a survey shows.
According to a report released Thursday by the Seoul Institute, based on a long-term analysis of nearly 13,000 Seoul residents between 2012 and 2021, their average daily fruit consumption fell 33.2 percent over the decade, from 182.4 grams to 121.8.
Vegetable consumption also fell from 278.1 grams to 244.1 grams during the same period. The proportion of those who eat less than 500 grams of fruit and vegetables per day rose from 61.4 percent to 71.8 percent.
The reason given for the decline was rising prices, particularly for apples and pears, caused by supply shortages following climate-related disruptions such as record heatwaves and floods.
According to global investment bank Nomura Securities, fruit prices in Korea rose a whopping 36.9 percent in the first quarter of this year, the highest increase among major countries. Vegetable prices also rose significantly by 10.7 percent, compared to 9.3 percent in Italy and 7.3 percent in the UK.
Instead, many turned to meat, with their average consumption increasing from 110 grams to 149.1 grams per day.
The report also found that about 31.6 percent of busy Seoul residents skipped breakfast, compared to 21.1 percent a decade ago. This figure exceeds the national average of 28 percent. By age group, more than half of 20-year-olds skipped breakfast, followed by 30- and 40-year-olds (39.3 percent) and teenagers (38.3 percent).
As a result of this change in diet, the number of people with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes increased from 23.6 percent to 26.1 percent and from 7.9 percent to 11.8 percent respectively.
“We need to take action to promote healthy eating habits while supporting the consumption of fruits and vegetables,” the institute said.
