SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – The cost of fresh vegetables has surged in South Korea due to an extended period of extreme heat, which has reduced shipment volumes and caused damage to agricultural output across the country. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. revealed that spinach was priced at 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, representing a 152.3% increase compared to the previous month. Additionally, ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, a rise of 54.8%. Prices for blue lettuce grew by 41.7%, while zucchinis climbed 46.6% to reach 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these increases to persistent high temperatures impacting crops sensitive to heat. Vegetables like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini typically thrive in cooler conditions, but the ongoing heatwave has slowed their growth and limited market availability. South Korea has experienced extraordinary temperatures recently, with Yangsan in the southeast reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2—marking the highest temperature ever recorded nationally since weather observations began in 1904.
The extreme weather has also taken a toll on livestock farms, resulting in 901,602 animal deaths as of Aug. 7. Poultry, including chickens and ducks, accounted for approximately 95% of these fatalities. Officials stated that this loss is about 55% of what was recorded during the same period last year. The retail price of broiler chicken dropped below 6,000 won on Aug. 7, reaching 5,925 won per kilogram for the first time since February.
Heat-related damage extends to aquaculture and fisheries
Warming coastal waters have caused another challenge for South Korea’s food industry, with aquaculture farms reporting 864,497 fish deaths through Aug. 7. During the period from July 27 to August 1, the average auction price for a kilogram of flounder reached 22,300 won, which indicates a 2.29% weekly increase and a 13.2% rise from the same period last year. By Aug. 7, warnings for high water temperatures had expanded to cover 17 coastal areas.
To counteract the supply disruptions caused by the heatwave, authorities have introduced several measures. The government has increased imports of broiler chickens and launched promotional discounts on fish at major retail outlets. Support initiatives for farmers include the provision of misting devices, shade covers, and enhanced ventilation systems to help farms withstand extreme temperatures. Additionally, from Aug. 7, officials fortified the agricultural disaster response framework and declared a special management period for heat and drought as damages accumulated across farming regions.
Sharp rise in fresh food prices contrasts with July inflation slowdown
The recent spike in vegetable prices contrasts with a broader inflation trend that had eased in July. South Korea’s consumer price index stood at 119.77, with 2020 as the base year set at 100. Prices fell by 0.2% from June but increased by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July had slowed from 3.2% in June. The latest snapshot of retail vegetable prices, dated Aug. 7, was taken after the period covered by the July consumer inflation report.
The rise in food prices underscores the immediate economic impact of South Korea’s record-breaking heat on fresh produce and aquaculture industries. Among the widely monitored vegetables, spinach experienced the largest monthly increase, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also saw significant price hikes. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, although chicken retail prices remain below recent peaks. Government interventions, retail discounts, and emergency agricultural programs continue to operate as the extreme summer weather persists and continues to affect the nation’s food production capabilities.