SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea is experiencing a significant rise in the cost of fresh produce as record-breaking heat conditions hamper agricultural output and diminish vegetable supplies. According to data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., spinach reached 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, marking an increase of 152.3% compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, ten cucumbers sold for 8,313 won, reflecting a 54.8% jump, and prices for blue lettuce and zucchini surged by 41.7% and 46.6%, respectively, reaching 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained that prolonged periods of intense heat have led to a decline in supplies of crops sensitive to temperature. Crops like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini are especially prone to damage when high temperatures persist over extended durations. This summer has also seen historic temperature records, with Yangsan reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2, the highest temperature ever recorded in South Korea since nationwide observations began in 1904.
The heat has also caused severe losses in livestock farming, with South Korea tallying 901,602 animal deaths as of Aug. 7. Chickens and ducks comprise approximately 95% of these fatalities, with losses approximately 55% below the figures reported during the same period last year. Despite this, chicken prices at retail have remained relatively steady, with the cost at 5,925 won per kilogram on Aug. 7—below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Extreme Weather Conditions Impact Agriculture and Fisheries
Aquaculture operations have also suffered substantial setbacks, as rising coastal water temperatures led to the death of 864,497 fish by Aug. 7, adding pressure to the local seafood market. During July 27 to Aug. 1, flounder averaged 22,300 won per kilogram at auction, representing a 2.29% increase from the previous week and a 13.2% rise compared to the same period last year. Additionally, warnings about high temperatures have been issued in 17 coastal regions.
In response, the government has implemented measures to stabilize supply and prices in several food sectors. These include increased imports of broiler chickens, expanded retail discounts on fish, and support for farms in acquiring shading, misting systems, and ventilation suitable for extreme heat conditions. From Aug. 7, authorities strengthened the agricultural disaster response system and initiated a special management phase targeting heat and drought, as weather-related damage spreads across farming and aquaculture areas.
July’s Moderate Inflation Precedes Recent Food Price Surge
The recent spike in food prices follows a period of slower inflation in South Korea during July. The inflation rate for that month was relatively subdued, with the national consumer price index at 119.77, based on a 2020 benchmark of 100. Prices decreased by 0.2% from June but increased by 2.8% compared to July 2025. Although the annual inflation rate hit 3.2% in June, the sharp rise in vegetable prices reported on Aug. 7 occurred after the July inflation data was compiled.
Vegetables remain among the most visibly affected food categories amid the heat wave. Spinach experienced the largest monthly increase among widely monitored products, with cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also showing notable gains. Meanwhile, farms producing livestock and seafood have reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses during this period. Retail chicken prices, however, have stayed below recent highs as authorities continue to rely on imports, discounts, and farm-support measures aimed at ensuring food supply stability during South Korea’s extreme summer temperatures.