The average retail price of chicken is W5,966 (US$1=W1,175) per kilogram, up 7.7 per cent from W5,541 the previous month, according to the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation. It sells for about W7,200 in big supermarkets, up about 5.8 per cent on-year, according to The Chosunilbo.

Distributors expect prices to rise further in the summer. Demand is likely to soar from late July because of the London Summer Olympics from 27 July - 12 August, when many people will eat chicken snacks with their beer as they watch the events on TV.

Three special summer days - Chobok, Jungbok and Malbok - will also coincide with the London Olympics. Samgyetang, or ginseng chicken soup, is a traditional meal for those days in Korea.