<Anchor> It
's friendly economy time.
Reporter Han Ji-yeon is here.
Are you saying that the number of people working on the side business has increased significantly lately?
<Reporter>
There are a lot of people these days who run surrogate driving and delivery separately.
In May, the most recent statistical data, the so-called 'two-jap' numbered close to 630,000, an all-time high.
About 98,000 people, or 18% more than a year ago, it increased by 65% compared to January of last year, right before the corona virus.
By age, the majority were in their 20s and 60s and older.
From a professional point of view, a lot of work has been done mainly for day-to-day workers, whose income has been reduced due to the corona virus.
Inflation has also been rising at the 6% level for two months in a row, and as the average interest rate on credit loans has risen to the 5% level, the debt to repay has increased.
There are many situations where it is possible to meet living expenses only if you have a side job.
<Anchor>
Recently, prices have risen a lot, so this seems to be happening, but the price of vegetables has risen even more recently.
That's why you said that there are quite a few people who grow and eat them themselves?
<Reporter>
Yes, the overall crop was not good due to the heat wave and the rainy season, but the price of agricultural products rose by 8.5% last month.
In particular, as the number of vegetables increased by 25.9%, the number of people growing their own vegetables and eating them increased.
Even at the beginning of last year, as the price of green onion rose a lot, the term 'partech' was popular.
These days, lettuce prices jump a lot, and the word 'lettuce tech' is coming out.
On SNS, a new word called 'I eat my own food' that I grow and eat by myself has appeared, but there have been many certification shots of growing various vegetables by making a vegetable garden box on the veranda.
Garden-related products also sold well. In the past month, sales of seeds and seedlings increased by 41%, with green onions jumping 77%, lettuce 42%, and chives 420%.
Props are also a must.
The sales of mini-potted plants increased by 35% and the planters with LED lights increased by 650%.
<Anchor>
Recently, prices have been rising so much.
Especially before Chuseok, the price will rise even more.
There seems to be a lot of talk like this, but there are some fortunate indicators.
There seems to be something called the World Food Price Index last month, but did it drop a bit?
<Reporter>
Yes, it fell 8.6% from the previous month, the biggest drop in 14 years since October 2008.
The World Food Price Index compiles and announces five items, grain, meat, dairy, sugar, and oils and fats every month. It fell a lot as it went down.
Looking at key items, oil and fats fell 19.2% as Indonesia, the largest exporter of palm oil, is expected to have a smooth supply.
The grain price index also fell 11.5%.
The decline in overall grain prices was driven by the decision of warring Russia and Ukraine to re-export grain to ports in the Black Sea and a sharp drop in international wheat prices as the northern hemisphere harvest progressed.
International grain prices are expected to fall further than in the first half of the year.
<Anchor>
You said that there is another price-related indicator coming out this week?
<Reporter>
Yes, we're talking about the US, and major price indicators such as consumer price, producer price and expected inflation will be announced one after another from the 10th.
You can predict how much the key interest rate will be raised at the US Fed's FOMC next month by looking at inflation.
If inflationary pressures are strong this time around, there is a greater chance the Fed will raise 0.75 percentage points in a row for the third time as a giant step.
Analysts are expecting the US consumer price index to rise 8.7% in July, slightly slower than the 9.1% in the previous month. It grew.
A number of Fed officials have also called for continued rate hikes.
In the financial market, there are many prospects of going to the Giant Step next month.