April Consumer Prices Rise 2.1%... Inflation Remains in 2% Range for Four Consecutive Months

Statistics Korea's April Consumer Price Trends

Last month, consumer prices rose by 2.1%, maintaining the same rate of increase as the previous month (2.1%).

Prices of vegetables such as cabbage, radish, and carrots are rising one after another, turning concerns about food prices into reality. On the 24th, cabbage was displayed at Yangjae Hanaro Mart in Seoul. The selling price of cabbage is 6,380 won, but with government support, it is being sold at 5,104 won. 2025.03.24 Photo by Yoon Dongju

According to the "April Consumer Price Trends" released by Statistics Korea on May 2, the consumer price index last month increased by 2.1% compared to a year earlier. The consumer price inflation rate hit a low of 1.3% in October last year, then showed an upward trend in November (1.5%) and December (1.9%). Since the beginning of the new year, it has returned to the 2% range, and for four consecutive months, the inflation rate has remained in the 2% range.

The core inflation index, which excludes food and energy items with large price fluctuations, rose by 2.1% compared to a year earlier, expanding from the previous month's 1.9%. The index excluding agricultural products and petroleum also rose by 2.4%, up from 2.1% in the previous month.

The living price index, which is composed mainly of frequently purchased items and is closer to perceived inflation, rose by 2.4%, the same as the previous month (2.4%). Food prices rose by 3.3% compared to the same month last year, remaining unchanged from the previous month, while non-food items rose by 1.8%, reversing a 0.1% decline in the previous month. The living price index including rent increased by 2.1% year-on-year.

The fresh food index, which includes fish, vegetables, and fruits, fell by 1.9% compared to the same month last year, marking a negative trend for the third consecutive month. Compared to a year ago, fresh fruits fell by 5.5% and fresh vegetables by 1.9%. However, compared to the previous month, they rose by 2.4% and 9.2%, respectively. Fresh fish and seafood rose by 5.7% year-on-year.

Last month, agricultural product prices fell by 1.5% compared to the same month last year. Vegetable prices also dropped by 1.8%. Livestock products and marine products continued to rise, increasing by 4.8% and 6.4% year-on-year, respectively. Livestock products saw their largest increase in 33 months since July 2022 (6.1%). By major item, radish prices surged by 59.4%, continuing the upward trend from the previous month (86.4%). Mackerel prices also rose by 11.6% year-on-year, and cabbage by 15.6%. However, tomatoes (-21.4%), oriental melons (-16.5%), zucchini (-17.0%), and green chili peppers (-9.2%) recorded declines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.