Overview
- The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans intensive checks at about 3,600 sellers after 19 complaints alleging hygiene lapses, mislabeling, foreign substances and unlicensed operations.
- Customs data show pistachio import prices jumped to roughly 28 million won per ton year over year, with December imports reaching about 372 tons, more than double the prior monthly average.
- Long queues and rapid sellouts continue as major brands roll out spinoffs and the Korean Red Cross offers the treat to blood donors to boost participation.
- Creator Kim Na-ra, featured on SBS, says production now exceeds 30,000 cookies a day with around 50 employees and daily sales near 130 million won.
- Rising costs for pistachios, kataifi, cocoa and labor push retail prices above 8,000 won at some shops, and many small sellers use the dessert as a loss leader to draw foot traffic.