SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – The ongoing heat wave in South Korea has led to significant increases in the prices of fresh vegetables, as prolonged extreme temperatures hinder shipments and damage agricultural yields nationwide. According to data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., spinach was priced at 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, representing a 152.3% surge compared to the previous month. The cost of ten cucumbers reached 8,313 won, marking a 54.8% rise. Blue lettuce saw a 41.7% increase, while 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 crops. Vegetables like spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini tend to thrive in cooler climates, but extreme heat can impede their growth and reduce marketable yields. South Korea has experienced extraordinary temperatures during this heat wave, with Yangsan in the southeast recording 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2 — the highest temperature ever documented in the country since weather records began in 1904.
The intense heat has also caused severe losses among livestock farms, with a total of 901,602 animal deaths reported as of Aug. 7. Poultry, including chickens and ducks, accounted for approximately 95% of these fatalities. Authorities indicated that livestock deaths are roughly 55% of the figures observed during the same period last year. Meanwhile, 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 further pressure to South Korea’s food industry. Through Aug. 7, aquaculture farms recorded 864,497 fish deaths as coastal waters warmed. The average auction price for a kilogram of flounder increased to 22,300 won between July 27 and Aug. 1, reflecting a 2.29% weekly rise and a 13.2% year-over-year increase. By Aug. 7, high-temperature warnings for coastal waters had expanded to 17 regions.
To address these challenges, authorities have implemented measures to stabilize food supplies impacted by the heat wave. The government has increased broiler chicken imports and promoted discounts on fish at major retail outlets. Support for agriculture includes the provision of misting systems, shading materials, and ventilation solutions for farms facing extreme temperatures. Additionally, officials enhanced the agricultural disaster response framework from Aug. 7 and designated a special management period for heat and drought as damages continued to accrue across farming areas.
Rising Fresh Food Costs Contrasted with July Inflation Data
The recent spike in vegetable prices contrasts with the broader inflation trend that slowed in July. South Korea’s consumer price index stood at 119.77, with 2020 set as the base year at 100. Consumer prices decreased by 0.2% from June and grew by 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July slowed from 3.2% in June. The latest retail vegetable price data, dated Aug. 7, was collected after the period covered by the July consumer inflation report.
These increases in food prices highlight 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 rise, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also saw substantial price increases. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, although chicken retail prices remained below recent levels. Government measures to support supply and retail discounts are running alongside emergency agricultural programs as extreme summer conditions continue to disrupt food production.