Korean Farmers and Fish Farms Hit by Record Temperatures

A relentless heatwave across the Korean peninsula is hitting both land‑based farms and sea‑based aquaculture. Retail monitoring shows spinach prices have leapt 152.3% in a single month, with cucumbers up 54.8% and lettuce up 41.7% over the same timeframe. The Ministry of Agriculture notes that these crops are sensitive to temperature spikes, causing a rapid contraction in supply.

Livestock losses are staggering: 901,602 animals have died, roughly 95% of which were chickens and ducks. Meanwhile, warmer ocean waters have caused 864,497 fish to die in aqua farms.

The seafood market reflects the strain. Flounder auction prices averaged 22,300 won per kilogram from July 27 to August 1, a 2.29% rise from the previous week and a 13.2% increase compared with the same period last year.

Experts warn that because sea temperatures change more slowly than air temperatures, the full impact on fish prices could emerge in the next few months, especially in September. The government is acting by expanding broiler chicken imports and launching special discount campaigns for fish products in discount stores.