Lettuce Bag Put Down, Picked Up Again... Leafy Vegetable Prices Jump Amid Heatwave

South Korean consumers are finding leafy vegetables increasingly unaffordable as prices soar due to extreme weather conditions. On July 29, shoppers at a large supermarket in Seoul were seen hesitating at vegetable displays, with some picking up a bag of lettuce only to put it back down. Others left the store empty-handed.

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Vegetable prices have risen tremendously. We have no choice but to save, so we're eating fewer vegetables than usual.

The price surge is attributed to a combination of factors. Record heatwaves have stressed crops, while earlier heavy rainfall disrupted harvesting and distribution, leading to reduced supply. Experts predict that if the heat continues, crop yields will further decline, and pest problems could exacerbate price increases.

Data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation shows significant price hikes for various leafy greens. As of July 28, the average retail price for 1kg of perilla leaves (premium grade) rose 33.92% from the previous month. Other vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, and spinach also saw substantial price increases, ranging from 7.09% to over 52.2%.

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Vegetable prices have gone up, making things difficult. Lettuce prices are the most burdensome. All vegetables have become expensive.

Consumers are adjusting their habits. One shopper noted, "Vegetable prices have risen tremendously. We have no choice but to save, so we're eating fewer vegetables than usual." Restaurant owners are also feeling the pinch. A restaurant owner in Gwangjin-gu mentioned, "Vegetable prices have gone up, making things difficult. Lettuce prices are the most burdensome." While some businesses are absorbing the costs, others worry about the impact on sales if the heatwave persists and affects customer traffic.

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If the heat continues for a long time, vegetables will wilt, and prices will inevitably rise.