SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea is experiencing significant increases in fresh produce costs as severe heat waves damage farms and cut vegetable supplies. According to data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., spinach reached 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7. This price is 152.3% higher than it was a month earlier. Ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, a 54.8% rise. Blue lettuce increased 41.7%, and zucchini went up 46.6% to 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported that prolonged high temperatures have reduced supplies of heat-sensitive crops. Spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini are particularly affected when temperatures stay high for extended periods. This summer has also set national records. On Aug. 2, Yangsan hit 42.5 degrees Celsius, marking South Korea’s highest temperature since records began in 1904.
Livestock farms have also suffered heavy losses due to the heat. As of Aug. 7, South Korea recorded 901,602 animal deaths, with chickens and ducks accounting for about 95% of these. The loss is roughly 55% of what was reported during the same period last year. Meanwhile, the retail price of broiler chicken remained stable at 5,925 won per kilogram on Aug. 7, dropping below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Extreme heat impacts farms and seafood stocks
Aquaculture producers have also faced major losses as coastal waters warmed. Fish farms reported 864,497 deaths through Aug. 7, adding pressure to the domestic seafood market. Between July 27 and Aug. 1, flounder averaged 22,300 won per kilogram at auction. This price increased 2.29% from the previous week and 13.2% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, high-temperature warnings covered 17 coastal areas.
The government has introduced measures to support supply and stabilize prices across several food sectors. Authorities increased broiler chicken imports and expanded retail discounts on fish. Farms received aid for shade structures, misting systems, and ventilation to cope with extreme heat. From Aug. 7, officials enhanced the agricultural disaster response system and launched a special management period for heat and drought, as weather-related damage spread across farming and aquaculture regions.
Vegetable prices spike after a calmer July inflation rate
The recent surge in food prices comes after South Korea reported slower consumer inflation in July. The national consumer price index was 119.77, with 2020 set as 100. Prices fell 0.2% from June but rose 2.8% from July 2025. In June, annual inflation hit 3.2%. The sharp vegetable price increases reported on Aug. 7 occurred after the July inflation figures were released.
Fresh vegetables remain among the most visibly affected food categories. Spinach experienced the largest monthly increase among widely tracked items. Cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also saw substantial price hikes. Meanwhile, livestock and aquaculture farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses during this period. Retail chicken prices stayed below recent peaks thanks to ongoing import, discount, and farm-support efforts aimed at ensuring food supplies amid South Korea’s extreme summer heat.