[Extreme Heatwave] South Korea Trapped in a Pressure Cooker... Food Prices, Drought, and Fish Farms Face Triple Hardship

Apparent Temperature Nears 40 Degrees, Leading to Real Crop Damage
Concerns Over Consumer Prices Returning to 3% After Dropping to 2% Range
'Severe' Heatwave Alert in Effect, Mass Deaths of Farmed Fish Reported

South Korea is gripped by a record-breaking heatwave. With extreme midday temperatures approaching a perceived 40 degrees Celsius, food prices are surging, drought is worsening in the southern regions, and rising sea temperatures are leading to mass deaths of farmed fish. The government has maintained its heatwave crisis alert at the highest "serious" level and has launched an all-out pan-government response, yet concerns over expanding damage from the prolonged extreme heat are growing.

Yonhap News Agency

The heatwave has now emerged as an economic factor influencing prices, not merely a weather event. Poor crop growth and visible damage to livestock and fisheries are making the heatwave the single greatest threat to consumer prices in August. In July, the consumer price growth rate remained at 2%, helped by government discount support and an increase in agricultural shipments. However, in August, the impact of the heatwave began to be fully reflected, increasing inflationary pressures. Some agricultural products highly sensitive to heat recorded triple-digit month-on-month price increases. Eggplant prices soared by 218%, zucchini by 112%, and perilla leaves by 116%. Jujubes rose 96%, and spinach 92%. Due to warmer sea temperatures, the prices of some seafood items have risen by nearly 50% compared to a year ago; mackerel jumped by 47% and hairtail by 42%.

With the base effect of last August’s mobile phone fee reduction policy taken into account, some are now forecasting that the August consumer price growth rate could climb back toward 3%. The government has announced plans to keep inflation below 3% in the second half of the year, using supports such as agricultural and fishery product discounts, a ceiling on oil prices, and measures to stabilize prices during the Chuseok holiday.

The situation is even more severe in rural and livestock areas. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ “Daily Report on Heatwave Measures,” more than 830,000 livestock have died due to heat between May 15 and August 6 this year. For farmed fish, a total of 56,809 animals have died across 80 operations.

On the 29th, when heatwave warnings continued across most regions nationwide, citizens were commuting to work around Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted that the daytime heatwaves and nighttime tropical nights would persist for the time being. July 29, 2026 Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

As of 9 a.m. on the 7th, there were a total of 208 cases of heat-related illness reported in a single day, including one death. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the national heatwave disaster alert to the highest "serious" level at 3 p.m. on July 27 and activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. At 1 p.m. on August 2, the central coordination center was put on Phase 2, strengthening pan-government efforts. Despite today being Ipchu, the traditional start of autumn, the scorching heat is expected to continue, with highs reaching 39 degrees Celsius. The Korea Meteorological Administration recommended a halt to all outdoor activities and work, except for essential duties. The phenomenon of tropical nights, with temperatures staying above 25 degrees Celsius overnight, is also expected to persist for the time being.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.