SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea is experiencing significant hikes in the cost of fresh produce as record-breaking temperatures disrupt agricultural output and diminish vegetable supplies. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. indicated that spinach reached 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, marking a 152.3% increase compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, a 54.8% rise, with blue lettuce climbing 41.7% and zucchini surging 46.6% to 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has attributed these price jumps to ongoing high temperatures that have severely limited the availability of heat-sensitive crops. Vegetables such as spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini are especially vulnerable during extended periods of elevated heat. This summer, South Korea also set new national temperature records, with Yangsan reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2, the highest temperature recorded since nationwide measurements began in 1904.
The scorching weather has also inflicted substantial losses on livestock farms. As of Aug. 7, South Korea reported 901,602 animal deaths, with chickens and ducks accounting for approximately 95% of these fatalities. These losses are roughly 55% of what was reported during the same period last year. Despite these challenges, the retail price of broiler chickens remained relatively stable at 5,925 won per kilogram on Aug. 7, staying below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Extreme Temperatures Damage Fisheries and Livestock
Seafood producers have also suffered heavy losses due to the warming of coastal waters. Fish farms recorded 864,497 deaths through Aug. 7, adding strain to the domestic seafood market. Auction prices for flounder averaged 22,300 won per kilogram from July 27 to Aug. 1, representing a 2.29% increase from the previous week and a 13.2% rise compared to the same period last year. The heatwave prompted warnings across 17 coastal regions.
In response, authorities implemented measures to stabilize supply and prices across various food sectors. These included increasing imports of broiler chickens, expanding retail discounts on fish, and supporting farms with shade structures, misting systems, and enhanced ventilation during extreme heat. From Aug. 7 onward, officials strengthened the agricultural disaster response system and declared a special management period for heat and drought to address widespread weather-related damage across farming and aquaculture areas.
Price Spikes Follow a Softer July Inflation Report
The recent surge in food prices comes after South Korea reported slower inflation in July. The national consumer price index stood at 119.77, with the 2020 baseline set at 100. In June, prices had declined by 0.2% compared to the previous month, while they increased by 2.8% from July 2025. Although inflation had reached 3.2% in June, the sharp increases in vegetable prices observed on Aug. 7 occurred after the period covered by the July inflation data.
Fresh vegetables remain among the most visibly impacted food categories amid the heat wave. Spinach experienced the largest monthly increase among widely tracked items, with cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also showing notable gains. Livestock and aquaculture farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses during this period. Meanwhile, retail chicken prices stayed below recent levels as authorities continued to support food supplies through imports, discounts, and farm assistance measures during South Korea’s extreme summer conditions.