[Anchor]

Damage to summer crops caused by scorching heat waves is driving up vegetable prices. Concerns are growing that as the heat persists, the burden of food costs will continue to increase.

Reporter Hong Yeongjae has the story.

[Reporter]

Lee Young-hee runs a restaurant at a traditional market in Seoul.

Lately, she worries every time she goes grocery shopping.

[Lee Young-hee / Restaurant Owner: I was buying these vegetables at the market this morning, and you know what the vendor told me? They said, 'Prices jumped significantly today.']

Due to the prolonged heat wave, prices of heat-vulnerable vegetables have risen across the board, with cucumbers—a key ingredient for gimbap—jumping 59% compared to a month ago.

The price of zucchini, commonly used as a garnish for knife-cut noodles (kalguksu), surged 46% over the past month, while onions and carrots rose 10% and 9%, respectively.

With poor crop yields caused by the heat wave and drought, wholesale prices for napa cabbage have nearly doubled.

[Jang Gwi-bong / Vegetable Vendor: Because it's too hot, they just don't grow, they melt. Items that used to cost about 2,500 won per bundle are now 5,000 or 6,000 won—almost double.]

The price of spinach has also doubled. Since it easily wilts in the heat, vendors cannot even display it outside.

[Jang Gwi-bong / Vegetable Vendor: Because the weather is so hot, the spinach melts and it's impossible. We wrap it in newspaper and only provide it to customers who specifically ask for it.]

In-season fruits have not escaped the impact of the heat wave either.

Watermelon prices rose 13% over the past month, and peaches are getting easily softened by the heat, making it difficult to sell them at proper prices.

[Geum Cheol-su / Fruit Vendor: When the peaches arrive, they feel warm to the touch. The peaches absorb heat, so we have to sell them quickly. By the afternoon, we sell them with almost no margin.]

As "heatflation"—inflation driven by extreme heat—pushes up prices, consumers' grocery carts are getting lighter.

[Hong Seon-ja / Yangcheon-gu, Seoul: Vegetables like summer cress, young radishes, and napa cabbage have gone up a lot. It's too burdensome to buy, so we end up looking for cheaper alternatives.]

The government stated that recent vegetable prices remain relatively low compared to typical years, and plans to lower consumer burdens through government discount events offering up to 40% off at large supermarkets and traditional markets until the Chuseok holiday peak season.

(Video by Kim Hak-mo | Video Editing by Park Ji-in | Graphics by Hwang Se-yeon)