SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – In South Korea, the prices of fresh vegetables have experienced a significant jump as ongoing extreme heat has led to reduced shipments and farm output across the country. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. indicated that on Aug. 7, spinach was priced at 1,978 won per 100 grams, reflecting an increase of 152.3% compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, ten cucumbers sold for 8,313 won, which is a 54.8% rise. Blue lettuce saw a 41.7% increase, and zucchini prices climbed by 46.6% to 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these price surges to persistent high temperatures impacting heat-sensitive vegetables. Crops like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini tend to thrive in cooler environments, while extreme heat can hinder their growth and decrease marketable yields. South Korea has faced unprecedented temperatures during this heat wave, with Yangsan in the southeast recording 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2, marking the highest temperature documented nationwide since weather data collection began in 1904.
The intense heat has also severely affected livestock farms, with a total of 901,602 animals dying through Aug. 7. Poultry, including chickens and ducks, accounted for roughly 95% of these fatalities. Officials noted that these livestock deaths are about 55% of the figures recorded during the same period last year. On Aug. 7, the retail price of broiler chicken was 5,925 won per kilogram, dipping below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Farms and fisheries suffer heat-related damage
Rising water temperatures have added another layer of challenge for South Korea’s food industry. By Aug. 7, aquaculture farms reported 864,497 fish deaths as coastal waters warmed. The average auction price for one kilogram of flounder stood at 22,300 won from July 27 to Aug. 1, representing a weekly increase of 2.29% and a 13.2% rise compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, warnings about high water temperatures in coastal regions expanded to 17 areas by Aug. 7.
The government has implemented measures aimed at maintaining food supply stability amidst the heat wave. These include increasing imports of broiler chickens and promoting discounts on fish at leading retail outlets. Support initiatives for agriculture have also been introduced, such as deploying misting systems, shade covers, and ventilation equipment for farms exposed to extreme heat. Additionally, authorities have enhanced the agricultural disaster response framework starting Aug. 7 and designated a special management period focused on heat and drought conditions as damages accumulate across farming zones.
Vegetable price spikes contrast with July’s inflation slowdown
The recent rise in vegetable prices occurs amid a broader inflation trend that had eased in July. South Korea’s consumer price index reached 119.77, with 2020 set as the baseline at 100. Consumer prices declined by 0.2% from June and grew by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July slowed from 3.2% in June. The latest retail vegetable price data, dated Aug. 7, reflect prices after the period covered by the July inflation report.
These increases in food prices underscore the immediate economic impact of South Korea’s record-breaking heat on fresh produce and aquaculture sectors. Spinach experienced the largest monthly increase among commonly tracked vegetables, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also became notably more expensive. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, yet chicken retail prices have stayed below recent highs. Government interventions, retail discounts, and emergency agricultural programs continue to operate as the extreme summer conditions persist and disrupt food production.