SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – The cost of fresh vegetables has climbed sharply in South Korea due to ongoing extreme heat that has hindered shipments and damaged crops nationwide. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. indicated spinach at 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, representing a 152.3% increase from the previous month. Ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, up by 54.8%. Blue lettuce prices increased by 41.7%, and zucchini rose 46.6% to 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these price hikes to persistent high temperatures affecting heat-sensitive crops. While vegetables like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini thrive in cooler conditions, excessive heat hampers their growth and reduces harvestable output. South Korea has experienced record-breaking temperatures during this heat wave, with Yangsan in the southeast reaching 42.5°C on Aug. 2, the highest ever recorded since weather data collection began in 1904.
The heat has also severely impacted livestock farms, leading to 901,602 animal deaths as of Aug. 7, with poultry—such as chickens and ducks—accounting for about 95% of these fatalities. Officials indicated that livestock losses are approximately 55% of last year’s figures for the same period. Meanwhile, the retail price for broiler chicken fell below 6,000 won on Aug. 7, reaching 5,925 won per kilogram for the first time since February.
Impact of Heat Extends to Farms and Fisheries
Rising water temperatures have added further strain on South Korea’s food sector. Aquaculture farms reported 864,497 fish deaths through Aug. 7 as coastal waters warmed. The average auction price for one kilogram of flounder was 22,300 won between July 27 and Aug. 1, marking a 2.29% weekly increase and a 13.2% rise compared to the same period last year. By Aug. 7, high-temperature alerts for coastal waters had expanded to 17 regions.
In response, authorities have implemented measures to stabilize food supplies affected by the heat. The government has increased imports of broiler chicken and promoted discounts on fish at major retail outlets. Support initiatives for agriculture include providing misting equipment, shade structures, and ventilation systems for farms experiencing extreme conditions. Additionally, officials intensified the agricultural disaster response from Aug. 7 and designated a special management period to address heat and drought-related damage across farming regions.
Surge in Fresh Food Prices Contrasts July Inflation Trends
The recent spike in vegetable prices comes amid a broader inflation trend that had eased in July. South Korea’s consumer price index reached 119.77, based on a 2020 baseline of 100. Consumer prices declined by 0.2% from June but rose by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The July inflation rate slowed from 3.2% in June. The latest retail vegetable prices, as of Aug. 7, reflect conditions after the July inflation report period.
The rise in food prices highlights the immediate economic impact of South Korea’s record heat on fresh produce and aquaculture. Among widely monitored vegetables, spinach experienced the largest monthly increase, with cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also seeing significant price jumps. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, yet retail chicken prices stayed below recent highs. Government interventions, retail discounts, and emergency agricultural programs are ongoing as extreme summer conditions continue to disrupt food production.