Dishwasher sales ‘skyrocket by 459 per cent’ in South Korea as people avoid restaurants during pandemic

Eating habits in South Korea change significantly following introduction of social distancing

A Korean retailer has said dishwashers have seen the 'most significant growth' in the first half of 2020 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Sales of dishwashers have skyrocketed in South Korea by more than 400 per cent amid changes to the country’s eating culture during the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.

A United States Department of Agriculture report in March found eating habits in South Korea had changed significantly following the introduction of social distancing guidance, with many people favouring online food shopping and avoiding eating outdoors.

The rise in home cooking has also appeared to have led to increased interest in dishwashers as many Koreans refrain from eating in restaurants.

Young working couples, working parents and single households in the country often ate at restaurants, with young people in their 20s and 30s also favouring ready-to-eat meal kits and food deliveries, before the pandemic hit, according to the East Asian news website Aju Business Daily.

Yongsan ETLand, a major home appliances retailer in Seoul, told the website it had seen dishwasher sales rise by 459 per cent in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year.

“The most significant growth in sales in the first half of this year is the dishwasher,” a spokesperson for the company said.

“Given this trend, the dishwasher is expected to record the biggest sales this year.”

South Korea has been widely seen as one of the most successful countries in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and has received praise from the World Health Organisation for its efforts.

Although daily coronavirus cases in the country rose to 113 on Saturday (the highest daily total in nearly four months), they had already fallen back to below 60 one day later.

Health officials have reported just 14,203 confirmed cases, with 300 deaths, in the country since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre.

South Korea’s success with containing Covid-19 has allowed officials to relax some of the tightest social distancing restrictions, with sports fans allowed to attend a baseball match for the first time this year on Sunday.

The Korean government decided on Friday that some fans could return to watch matches, with only 10 per cent of seats available and attendees wearing masks.

Fans provided contact details upon entering the stadium, received temperature checks and followed social distancing rules in the stands.

Additional reporting by Reuters