SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – The prices of fresh vegetables have surged in South Korea as ongoing extreme heat has led to a decline in shipments and caused damage to farm production nationwide. According to data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., spinach reached 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, marking a 152.3% increase compared to the previous month. Ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, a rise of 54.8%. Blue lettuce increased by 41.7%, and zucchini climbed 46.6% to 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these price hikes to persistent high temperatures impacting heat-sensitive vegetables. While crops like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini tend to thrive in cooler conditions, extreme heat can hinder their growth and reduce harvestable yields. South Korea has been experiencing extraordinary heat levels during this heat wave, with Yangsan in the southeast reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2—the highest temperature recorded in the country since weather records began in 1904.
The intense heat has also adversely affected livestock farms, with 901,602 animals reported dead as of Aug. 7. Poultry, such as chickens and ducks, accounted for approximately 95% of these fatalities. Authorities indicated that the livestock losses are about 55% of those recorded during the same period last year. On Aug. 7, the retail price of broiler chicken was 5,925 won per kilogram, falling below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Heat-Related Damage Extends to Farms and Fisheries
Rising water temperatures have added further strain to South Korea’s food industry. As coastal waters warmed, aquaculture farms saw 864,497 fish deaths through Aug. 7. The average auction price for one kilogram of flounder was 22,300 won between July 27 and Aug. 1, reflecting a weekly increase of 2.29% and a 13.2% rise from the previous year. Warnings about high temperatures in coastal waters expanded to 17 regions by Aug. 7.
In response, authorities have implemented measures to stabilize the supply of affected food products. The government has increased imports of broiler chickens and promoted discounts on fish at major retailers. Support programs for farms include the deployment of misting systems, shade structures, and improved ventilation to cope with extreme temperatures. Additionally, officials enhanced the agricultural disaster response framework from Aug. 7 and designated a special management period for heat and drought as damage continued to accumulate across farming areas.
Fresh Food Price Surge Contrasts July Inflation Data
The recent spike in vegetable prices comes despite a broader inflation trend that had slowed in July. South Korea’s consumer price index stood at 119.77, with 2020 as the base year at 100. Consumer prices decreased by 0.2% from June and rose by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July slowed to 3.2% from June. The latest snapshot of retail vegetable prices, dated Aug. 7, was released after the July consumer inflation report covered the previous period.
The rise in food prices underscores the immediate economic impact 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 significantly more costly. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, although chicken retail prices stayed below recent highs. Government measures to stabilize supply and retail discounts are in place alongside emergency agricultural programs, as the extreme summer weather continues to influence food production.