SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea is experiencing a significant rise in fresh food prices due to extreme heat impacting agricultural productivity and vegetable availability. 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 now cost 8,313 won, which is a 54.8% increase, while blue lettuce and zucchini have risen by 41.7% and 46.6%, respectively, reaching 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported that prolonged high temperatures have diminished supplies of heat-sensitive crops. Crops such as spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini are especially vulnerable when high temperatures persist over extended periods. This summer has also seen record-breaking weather nationwide; Yangsan hit 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2, setting South Korea’s highest temperature since national records began in 1904.
Livestock farms have also suffered heavy losses as a result of the heat. By Aug. 7, South Korea recorded 901,602 animal deaths, with chickens and ducks making up about 95% of these losses. The overall loss is approximately 55% lower than the same period last year. Despite these losses, the retail price for broiler chickens remained relatively stable at 5,925 won per kilogram on Aug. 7, remaining below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Extreme heat impacts farms and fishery stocks
Aquaculture sectors have also experienced substantial setbacks as warming coastal waters led to large-scale fish mortality. Fish farms recorded 864,497 deaths through Aug. 7, adding to pressure on the domestic seafood market. At auction, flounder prices averaged 22,300 won per kilogram from July 27 to Aug. 1, representing a 2.29% weekly increase and a 13.2% rise from last year. Meanwhile, high-temperature warnings covered 17 coastal regions across the country.
In response, government authorities have implemented measures to stabilize supply and prices in various food sectors. These include increased imports of broiler chickens, expanded retail discounts on fish, and support for farms through shading equipment, misting systems, and ventilation to combat extreme heat. From Aug. 7, officials strengthened the agricultural disaster response system and introduced a special management period for heat and drought as weather-related damage continued to impact farming and aquaculture areas.
Surge in fresh food prices follows a slowdown in July inflation
The recent jump in food prices comes after South Korea experienced a slowdown in consumer inflation during July. The national consumer price index was 119.77, with the 2020 baseline set at 100. Prices fell 0.2% from June but increased by 2.8% compared to July 2025. Although inflation was at 3.2% in June, the sharp rises in vegetables reported on Aug. 7 occurred after the period covered by the July inflation data.
Fresh vegetables remain among the most visibly affected food categories during this heatwave. Spinach experienced the largest monthly increase among widely monitored products, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also saw significant price hikes. Livestock and aquaculture farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses during this same timeframe. Retail chicken prices stayed below recent peaks as authorities continued efforts to import, discount, and support farms to ensure food supplies during South Korea’s extreme summer weather.