South Korea Heatwave Drives Up Vegetable Prices

A severe heatwave in South Korea has pushed temperatures inside traditional outdoor markets above outside levels, causing a sharp decline in customer foot traffic ^[1].

This trend creates a double economic blow for local vendors. As shoppers avoid the heat, the extreme weather simultaneously damages vegetable crops, leading to a phenomenon known as “hit-inflation” where prices spike due to climate shocks ^[1].

External temperatures during the heatwave reached approximately 40 °C ^[2]. In a paradoxical effect, temperatures inside the market interiors were recorded as at least one °C higher than the air outside ^[2]. This trapped heat makes the shopping environment unbearable for many consumers, leaving stalls empty during peak hours.

The impact extends beyond immediate sales. The heat has devastated vegetable yields, forcing vendors to raise prices for the remaining stock ^[1]. This cycle of reduced demand and increased supply costs threatens the livelihoods of small-scale traders who rely on these traditional street-side markets.

Data indicates this period marks the most extreme “Ipchu,” or the entry into autumn, seen in 10 years ^[3]. The persistent high temperatures disrupt the traditional seasonal transition, prolonging the agricultural stress on crops that are sensitive to heat ^[3].

Vendors said that the combination of empty aisles and rising wholesale costs has left them in a precarious financial position ^[1]. While modern supermarkets offer air-conditioned environments, the traditional markets remain vulnerable to these temperature swings, further widening the gap in consumer preference during climate extremes ^[1].