SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – In South Korea, prices for fresh vegetables have surged as ongoing extreme temperatures have curtailed shipments and harmed agricultural output nationwide. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. indicated that on Aug. 7, spinach was priced at 1,978 won per 100 grams, marking a 152.3% increase from the previous month. Ten cucumbers were sold for 8,313 won, reflecting a 54.8% rise. Blue lettuce experienced a 41.7% increase, while a zucchini climbed 46.6% to reach 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these price hikes to sustained high temperatures that negatively impact heat-sensitive vegetables. While spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini tend to thrive in cooler conditions, extreme heat can hinder their growth and diminish their marketable yield. South Korea has faced extraordinary temperatures during this heat wave, with Yangsan in the southeast reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2, the highest temperature recorded nationwide since weather observations began in 1904.
The intense heat has also affected livestock farms, resulting in 901,602 animal deaths recorded through Aug. 7. Poultry—including chickens and ducks—accounted for approximately 95% of these fatalities. Officials stated that the livestock deaths are roughly 55% of the level seen during the same period last year. On Aug. 7, the retail price of broiler chicken was 5,925 won per kilogram, dropping below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Heat-related damage extends to farms and fisheries
Elevated water temperatures have posed additional challenges for South Korea’s food industry. As coastal waters warmed, aquaculture farms recorded 864,497 fish deaths through Aug. 7. The average auction price for one kilogram of flounder reached 22,300 won between July 27 and Aug. 1, representing a 2.29% weekly increase and a 13.2% rise compared to the previous year. By Aug. 7, warnings about high temperatures in coastal waters had expanded to cover 17 regions.
To mitigate the impact of the heat wave on food supply, authorities have implemented various measures. The government increased imports of broiler chickens and promoted discounts on fish at major retail outlets. Support for agriculture includes the distribution of misting equipment, shade coverings, and ventilation systems to farms suffering from extreme heat. Additionally, officials enhanced the agricultural disaster response framework from Aug. 7 and declared a special management period to address heat and drought-related damages across farming areas.
Surge in fresh food prices contrasts with July inflation slowdown
These vegetable price hikes occurred despite a broader inflation trend that had eased in July. South Korea’s consumer price index reached 119.77, based on a 2020 benchmark level of 100. Consumer prices decreased by 0.2% from June but rose by 2.8% from July 2025. The inflation rate in July slowed from 3.2% in June. The recent retail vegetable price data, dated Aug. 7, was compiled after the period covered by the July consumer inflation report.
The rise in food prices underscores the immediate economic effects of South Korea’s historic heat on fresh produce and aquaculture. Among the commonly tracked vegetables, spinach experienced the largest monthly increase, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also became notably more expensive. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, although chicken retail prices stayed below recent highs. Government interventions to stabilize supply and retail discounts are operating alongside emergency agricultural initiatives as extreme summer weather continues to disrupt food production.