Food prices soar amid South Korea’s heat wave
South Korea is experiencing sharp increases in agricultural prices as an unprecedented heat wave disrupts supply chains, Qazinform News Agency cites Yonhap.
Retail price of 100g of spinach jumped 152.3% compared to a month earlier, price of 10 cucumbers rose 54.8% and the price of blue lettuce went up 41.7%.
Over 901,602 animals died, 95% of them poultry.
More than 864,497 fish perished due to warming seas.
Flounder auction price reached 22,300 won/kg (US$15.84), up 13.2% year-on-year.
Vegetables like spinach and cucumbers thrive in cooler temperatures, making them vulnerable to extreme heat.
Rising sea temperatures are expected to keep fish prices high into September, especially for flounder and rockfish.
The government is attempting to curb heat-driven inflation by increasing imports of broiler chickens and promoting fish sales at discount stores.
Temperatures are forecast to ease slightly, with daytime highs around 34°C.
It was earlier reported, government data shows that the number of heat-related illnesses reported in South Korea in late summer has nearly tripled in the past 10 years.