[Economy 365]



Last year, personal credit card usage increased by 10% compared to the previous year, but accommodation and food related usage decreased.



According to data released by the Korea Employers' Federation, the amount of personal credit card use last year was 605.2 trillion won, up 10% from the previous year.



As the amount of internet shopping payments increased in the aftermath of COVID-19, the amount of e-commerce and mail-order sales increased by 21.1% compared to the previous year, while the amount of use related to accommodation and food decreased by 1.5% compared to the previous year.



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Imported meat prices, such as frozen beef and chicken, have risen significantly.



The Korea Trade Statistics Agency announced that the import price index for imported livestock products last month was 154.5, up 39% from the same month last year.



By item, imported frozen beef rose 55.6% from a year ago, followed by chilled beef 42.5%, chicken 37.2%, and pork 13.9%.



The agricultural, livestock and marine products import price index is calculated based on the unit price and weight of the items actually imported into Korea every month.



The rise in livestock prices is largely attributable to the sharp rise in international grain prices used for feed and the fall in the value of the won against the dollar.



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It has been found that overseas travel demand has surged since the quarantine measures against COVID-19 for overseas travelers were eased.



According to the travel agency Modetour, the number of reservations for overseas travel products from the 13th to the 26th, right after the government announced the easing of quarantine measures for overseas travelers, increased by 230% from the previous two weeks.



In particular, as the age limit for unvaccinated children exempt from quarantine when entering Korea with a vaccinated guardian has been raised from under 6 to under 12, the demand for family travel has increased significantly.