SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – In South Korea, the cost of fresh vegetables has climbed sharply due to prolonged periods of intense heat that hindered shipments and damaged agricultural yields nationwide. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. indicated spinach reached 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, marking a 152.3% rise from the previous month. Ten cucumbers were priced at 8,313 won, reflecting a 54.8% increase. Blue lettuce increased by 41.7%, and zucchini climbed 46.6% to 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these price hikes to persistent high temperatures impacting heat-sensitive vegetables. Crops like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini tend to thrive in cooler conditions, but extreme heat slows their growth and reduces harvestable quantities. South Korea experienced extraordinary heat during the ongoing heat wave, with Yangsan in the southeast reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2—the highest temperature recorded nationally since weather observations began in 1904.
This scorching climate has also taken a toll on livestock farms, with 901,602 animal deaths reported through Aug. 7, mainly among poultry, including chickens and ducks, which accounted for approximately 95% of these losses. Officials noted that these deaths represent 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.
Heat Damage Extends to Farms and Fisheries
Rising water temperatures have added further pressure to South Korea’s food industry, with aquaculture farms recording 864,497 fish deaths by Aug. 7 due to warming coastal waters. The average auction price for a kilogram of flounder was 22,300 won between July 27 and Aug. 1, representing a weekly increase of 2.29% and a 13.2% rise from the same period last year. Warnings about high temperatures in coastal waters had expanded to 17 regions by Aug. 7.
To mitigate the impact of the heat wave on food supplies, authorities implemented several measures. The government increased imports of broiler chickens and promoted discount sales for fish at major retail outlets. Support initiatives for agriculture include misting devices, shade covers, and ventilation systems for farms suffering from extreme heat. Additionally, officials enhanced the agricultural disaster response framework from Aug. 7, establishing a dedicated period for managing heat and drought-related damages across farming zones.
Fresh Food Prices Rise Amid July Inflation Drop
The recent surge in vegetable prices contrasts with the broader inflation trend that showed signs of easing in July. South Korea’s consumer price index stood at 119.77, with 2020 as the base year set at 100. Consumer prices decreased by 0.2% from June but increased by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July slowed down from 3.2% in June. The latest retail vegetable prices, as of Aug. 7, reflect prices after the period covered by the July inflation report.
The rise in food costs underscores the immediate economic effects of South Korea’s historic heat on fresh produce and aquaculture. Among widely tracked vegetables, spinach experienced the largest monthly increase, with cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also becoming notably more expensive. While livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, chicken retail prices remained below recent peaks. Government measures to stabilize supply and retail discounts are being implemented alongside emergency agricultural programs as extreme summer conditions persist and continue to impact food production.