Economics
Koreans Feel the Pinch From Soaring Egg Prices
- ‘There’s a chance that we may go eggless’ says consumer Jeon
- Bird flu may push up egg prices by 110% in next six months
Eggs at a store in Seoul on Dec. 28, 2016.
Photographer: Ahn Young-joon/AP PhotoThis article is for subscribers only.
In a packed stall in one of Seoul’s traditional eateries, patrons feast on egg-rich Korean pancakes washed down with beer. Despite the booming business, the owner of the restaurant, Kim Kang-ock, looks on in dismay.
“Soaring egg prices are driving me crazy as it’s about to kill my business,” the middle-aged South Korean street-food vendor says as she dips vegetables in yolk before frying them. “Look at my menu, almost everything here needs an egg...not only the pancakes but noodles as well. I can’t run my business if I don’t have eggs.”