Major South Korean food companies are raising prices on noodles, dumplings, beverages, canned tuna, bread, cakes and desserts just over a month before the Chuseok holidays. Otoki will raise cup noodle and dumpling prices by 6% to 7% from Sept. 7, Paldo will increase shipment prices for some cup noodles and beverages by an average of 5% from Sept. 1, Samlip will raise prices for about 50 bread products by an average of 9%, Paris Baguette will increase prices for 127 products by an average of 5% from Tuesday, and Dongwon F&B will raise factory prices for selected canned tuna products by an average of 9% and beverages by an average of 9% to 10% from Sept. 1. Companies cite higher costs for eggs, raw sugar, wheat, palm oil, packaging materials, production, distribution, oil and foreign exchange. Consumers and the Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations question whether the increases reflect current costs, anticipated expenses or efforts to protect profitability, while industry participants expect further increases if costs remain elevated but warn that larger hikes could weaken demand.