Overview
- Korea Customs Service data cited by Rep. Chung Il-young show pistachio import prices rose from about 15 million won per ton in January 2025 to roughly 28 million won in January 2026.
- Emart reports since early December marshmallow sales up 289.2 percent, pistachios up 174.9 percent, and cocoa powder up 125.7 percent.
- Gmarket says marshmallow sales climbed about 20-fold month over month, kataifi sales quadrupled, and pistachio sales increased 1.6 times.
- Retailers report suppliers canceling prearranged deals to resell at higher prices, with some buyers paying over 100,000 won per kilogram for pistachios on short notice.
- Predawn queues, rapid sell-outs, purchase limits, and a live stock-tracking map underscore the frenzy, which followed a September social post by IVE’s Jang Won-young.