Vegetable Prices Skyrocket in South Korea Amid Heatwaves and Heavy Rains

Soaring temperatures and persistent heavy rains have triggered a dramatic price increase for essential vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, and paprika across South Korea. This surge in costs is creating significant hardship for vendors and consumers alike, particularly as the important Chuseok holiday approaches in about a month.

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It's even gone down, but the price is so high that neighboring merchants hardly bring in spinach.

Data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Distribution Corporation reveals a stark rise in wholesale prices. As of August 24th, the wholesale price for a 5kg box of tomatoes jumped by 237.7% compared to the previous month, reaching 30,931 won. Paprika saw a 156.6% increase, with a 5kg box costing 27,025 won. Spinach prices rose 22.6% to 53,716 won per 4kg, and perilla leaves increased by 37.1% for a bundle of 100.

Cabbage prices also climbed, with wholesale costs for a head of cabbage ranging from 1,356 won to 3,674 won, representing increases of 30.3% to 93.2% depending on size. Radish prices climbed 58.7% per unit. These wholesale increases are directly translating to higher retail prices, making it difficult for vendors to stock their shelves and for shoppers to purchase basic ingredients.

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It used to be less than 20,000 won for 5kg of tomatoes, but now it's well over 30,000 won. It's so expensive that we can't even bring in the goods.

Retailers are struggling to cope. One market official in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, noted that spinach, which recently sold for 8,500 won per bunch, is now priced at 6,500 won but is still considered very expensive. Many vendors are hesitant to stock certain vegetables due to the prohibitive costs. Consumers are expressing frustration, with one elderly woman in Seoul reporting difficulty finding and affording basic vegetables like spinach. The price hikes are attributed to poor crop yields and reduced supply caused by the record-breaking summer heat and subsequent heavy rains in key agricultural regions.

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I looked around several supermarkets and markets to buy spinach a few days ago, but it was hard to find, and even when I did, it was too expensive to buy.