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[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] As prices of soju have recently shown signs of an increase, the government has launched a survey into the liquor industry. Recently, the price of soju varies from restaurant to restaurant, but the average price is around 4,000 won to 5,000 won, and if the price rises this year, the number of restaurants selling 6,000 won per bottle is expected to increase.

According to the government authorities on the 26th, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the National Tax Service have launched a survey on the liquor industry's move to raise the price of soju.

Recently, the price of tapioca, a raw material for soju, and energy and bottles needed for the liquor manufacturing process have risen. In the aftermath, the liquor industry is more likely to raise the price of small stocks.

According to the liquor industry, the liquor tax, a tax on beer, will rise 30.5 won per liter (ℓ) to 885.7 won starting in April this year. In the case of soju, liquor (ethanol) suppliers, which are raw materials, raised the price of liquor by 7.8% in February last year. The supply price of soju bottles also jumped from 180 won to 220 won per bottle.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Economy and Finance is in a position to check the factors that increase the price of small stocks. First of all, we examine whether variables such as energy needed for raw materials and product processes and rising bottle prices are justified enough to lead to an increase in the price of cattle.

It will also look into whether the monopoly structure formed in the process of producing, distributing, and selling alcoholic beverages makes it easier to raise liquor prices.

 

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