SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – Prolonged intense heat has led to a sharp increase in the prices of fresh vegetables in South Korea. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. revealed that on Aug. 7, spinach was priced at 1,978 won per 100 grams, representing a 152.3% rise from the previous month. Meanwhile, ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, a 54.8% hike. The price of blue lettuce grew by 41.7%, and zucchini increased 46.6% to reach 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these price jumps to the persistently high temperatures impacting crops sensitive to heat. Vegetables like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini tend to thrive better in cooler environments, but extreme heat can hinder their growth and reduce the amount that can be sold. South Korea has experienced extraordinary temperatures during this heat wave, with Yangsan in the southeast reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2, marking the highest temperature recorded nationwide since weather observations began in 1904.
This scorching weather has also negatively affected livestock farms, resulting in 901,602 animal deaths recorded through Aug. 7. Poultry, such as chickens and ducks, made up approximately 95% of these losses. Officials indicated that these livestock deaths are roughly 55% of the number recorded during the same period last year. As of Aug. 7, the retail price for broiler chicken was 5,925 won per kilogram, dropping below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Heat-related damage impacts farms and fisheries
Rising water temperatures have added further pressure on South Korea’s food industry. Aquaculture farms reported 864,497 fish deaths through Aug. 7 as coastal waters warmed. The average auction price for one kilogram of flounder between July 27 and Aug. 1 was 22,300 won, up 2.29% week-over-week and 13.2% compared to the same period last year. By Aug. 7, warnings about high water temperatures had been issued in 17 coastal areas.
To counter these challenges, authorities implemented measures to stabilize the supply of affected food products. The government increased imports of broiler chickens and promoted discounts for fish at major retail outlets. Support initiatives for agriculture include the distribution of misting equipment, shading materials, and ventilation systems for farms exposed to extreme heat. Additionally, from Aug. 7, officials bolstered the agricultural disaster response framework and designated a special management period to address the ongoing heat and drought damages across farming regions.
Fresh-food price spikes contrast with July inflation slowdown
The recent surge in vegetable prices occurs against a backdrop of broader inflation that eased in July. South Korea’s consumer price index stood at 119.77, based on a 2020 baseline of 100. Prices fell by 0.2% from June and increased by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July slowed from 3.2% in June. The latest retail price snapshot for vegetables, dated Aug. 7, was compiled after the period covered by the July inflation report.
The rise in food prices underscores the immediate economic impact of South Korea’s record-breaking heat on both fresh produce and aquaculture. Among widely tracked vegetables, spinach experienced the largest monthly increase, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also saw significant price hikes. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, though retail chicken prices remained below recent highs. Ongoing government supply measures, retail discounts, and emergency agricultural programs are in place as extreme summer conditions continue to disrupt food production.