SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – The prices of fresh vegetables in South Korea have experienced a sharp rise, driven by prolonged extreme heat that has curtailed shipments and caused widespread damage to agricultural production across the country. According to data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., spinach reached 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, representing an increase of 152.3% compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, marking a 54.8% jump. Prices for blue lettuce grew by 41.7%, and zucchini prices climbed 46.6% to 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these price hikes to persistent high temperatures that negatively impact heat-sensitive vegetables. Crops like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini tend to thrive in cooler conditions, but extreme heat can hinder their growth and decrease marketable yields. South Korea has endured extraordinary temperatures during this heat wave, with Yangsan, located in the southeast, reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2— the highest temperature recorded nationally since weather records began in 1904.
The intense heat has also taken a toll on livestock farms, with 901,602 animal deaths reported by Aug. 7. Poultry, including chickens and ducks, accounted for approximately 95% of these losses. Officials indicated that these livestock fatalities are roughly 55% of the losses experienced during the same period last year. The retail price of broiler chicken was 5,925 won per kilogram on Aug. 7, falling below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Farms and fisheries suffer damage due to heat stress
Rising water temperatures have added further pressure to South Korea’s food industry, with aquaculture farms losing 864,497 fish through Aug. 7 due to warming coastal waters. The average auction price for one kilogram of flounder stood at 22,300 won from July 27 to Aug. 1, indicating a weekly increase of 2.29% and a 13.2% rise year-over-year. As of Aug. 7, warnings for high water temperatures had been issued in 17 coastal areas, underscoring the severity of the situation.
In response, authorities have taken steps to stabilize food supplies affected by the heat wave, including increasing imports of broiler chickens and promoting discounts on fish at major retail outlets. Support measures for agriculture involve the distribution of misting equipment, shade materials, and ventilation systems to farms struggling with extreme heat. Furthermore, officials strengthened the agricultural disaster response framework starting Aug. 7 and declared a special management period for heat and drought as damages mounted across farming regions.
Price hikes in fresh produce contrast with July inflation slowdown
The recent surge in vegetable prices comes despite a broader inflation trend that had eased in July. South Korea’s consumer price index was at 119.77, with 2020 set as the base level of 100. Consumer prices declined by 0.2% from June but increased by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July slowed from 3.2% in June. The latest retail price data for vegetables, dated Aug. 7, reflect conditions after the period covered by the July consumer inflation report.
The rising costs of food highlight the immediate economic impact of South Korea’s record-breaking heat on both fresh produce and aquaculture. Among widely tracked vegetables, spinach experienced the largest monthly increase, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also saw significant price hikes. Meanwhile, livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, although retail chicken prices remain below recent peaks. Government efforts to ensure supply, coupled with retail discounts and emergency agricultural programs, are ongoing as the country continues to grapple with the adverse effects of extreme summer weather on food production.