SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea is experiencing significant rises in fresh produce costs as scorching temperatures disrupt agricultural production and diminish vegetable inventories. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. indicated that spinach reached 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, representing an increase of 152.3% compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, ten cucumbers were priced at 8,313 won, up 54.8%, with blue lettuce climbing 41.7% and zucchini reaching 1,504 won, reflecting a 46.6% increase.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, prolonged periods of high temperatures have led to reduced supplies of crops sensitive to heat. Vegetables such as spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini are especially vulnerable during extended heatwaves. This summer has also seen the breaking of national temperature records, with Yangsan reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2, marking the highest temperature ever recorded since South Korea’s nationwide monitoring began in 1904.
Livestock farms have also sustained heavy damage due to the heat, with South Korea recording 901,602 animal deaths as of Aug. 7. Chickens and ducks account for approximately 95% of these fatalities. The losses are roughly 55% of those reported during the same period last year. Despite these impacts, 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 Affect Fisheries and Farms
Aquaculture operations have also suffered significant losses as coastal waters warm. Fish farms reported 864,497 deaths through Aug. 7, adding further pressure to the domestic seafood market. The auction price for flounder averaged 22,300 won per kilogram between July 27 and Aug. 1, increasing by 2.29% from the previous week and 13.2% compared to the same period last year. The weather warnings for high temperatures covered 17 coastal regions.
The government has responded by implementing measures to stabilize food supplies and prices. These include increasing broiler chicken imports and expanding retail discounts for seafood. Support has been provided to farms in the form of shade equipment, misting systems, and ventilation devices to help them cope with extreme heat. From Aug. 7 onward, authorities strengthened the agricultural disaster response system and introduced a special management period to address heat and drought conditions spreading across farming and aquaculture areas.
Surge in Fresh Food Prices Follows Slower July Inflation
The recent sharp increase in food prices follows a period of slower consumer inflation in July. The national consumer price index reached 119.77, with 2020 set as the baseline at 100. Prices declined by 0.2% compared to June and rose 2.8% from July 2025. In June, annual inflation was 3.2%, but the notable rise in vegetable prices reported on Aug. 7 came after the July inflation figures had been compiled.
Vegetables remain among the most visibly affected food categories during this heat wave. Spinach experienced the largest monthly increase among widely monitored products, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also saw substantial gains. Livestock and aquaculture farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses during the same period. Meanwhile, retail chicken prices stayed below recent peaks as authorities continued to support imports, discounts, and farm assistance programs aimed at maintaining the food supply amid South Korea’s intense summer temperatures.