SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – The cost of fresh vegetables has surged in South Korea as ongoing extreme temperatures have led to decreased shipments and harmed agricultural production nationwide. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. indicates that on Aug. 7, spinach was priced at 1,978 won per 100 grams, representing a 152.3% increase from the previous month. Ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, which is a 54.8% rise. Additionally, blue lettuce saw a 41.7% increase, and zucchini climbed 46.6% to reach 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 weather, while extreme heat can hinder their growth and lower marketable yields. South Korea has been experiencing extraordinary heat conditions, with Yangsan in the southeast reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2—the highest temperature recorded nationwide since weather data collection began in 1904.
This intense heat has also affected livestock farms, resulting in 901,602 animal deaths recorded through Aug. 7. Poultry, which includes chickens and ducks, accounts for approximately 95% of these losses. Officials reported that these deaths are roughly 55% of the number seen during the same period last year. The retail price of broiler chicken was 5,925 won per kilogram on Aug. 7, falling below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Heat Damage Extends to Farms and Fisheries
Rising water temperatures have added additional strain on South Korea’s food industry. Through Aug. 7, aquaculture farms experienced 864,497 fish deaths as coastal waters warmed. The average auction price for one kilogram of flounder reached 22,300 won between July 27 and Aug. 1, marking a 2.29% weekly increase and a 13.2% rise compared to the same period last year. Warnings about high temperatures in coastal waters expanded to 17 regions by Aug. 7.
In response, authorities have implemented measures to stabilize food supplies impacted by the heat. The government has increased imports of broiler chickens and launched discounts on fish at major retail outlets. Support initiatives for farmers include the deployment of misting equipment, shading materials, and enhanced ventilation systems to cope with extreme temperatures. Additionally, officials strengthened the agricultural disaster response network from Aug. 7 and designated a special management period for heat and drought as damages mounted across farming zones.
Fresh-food Price Spike Contrasts July Inflation Trends
The recent surge in vegetable prices occurs against the backdrop of a broader inflation trend that had slowed in July. South Korea’s consumer price index was recorded at 119.77, based on a 2020 benchmark of 100. Prices fell by 0.2% from June but increased by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July decreased from 3.2% in June. The latest data on retail vegetable prices, dated Aug. 7, was collected after the period covered by the July consumer inflation report.
These increases in food prices reflect the immediate economic impacts of South Korea’s record-breaking heat on fresh produce and aquaculture. Among widely tracked vegetables, spinach experienced the largest monthly increase, with cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also becoming considerably more expensive. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, though chicken retail prices remained below recent levels. Government measures to support supply and retail discounts are ongoing alongside emergency agricultural initiatives, as extreme summer conditions continue to impact food production.