Concerns of 'heatflation' rise alongside temperatures

Cucumbers are on display at a supermarket in Seoul on Aug. 6.

As the country continues to experience an extreme heat wave, disruptions in agricultural supply are fueling concerns of “heatflation,” or a rise in food prices driven by scorching temperatures. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation on Aug. 4, the wholesale price of top-grade cucumbers per 50 stood at 40,047 won ($28) the previous day, up 59.4 percent from 25,131 won a year earlier. The average wholesale price of top-grade zucchini per 20 came to 27,804 won, up 47.1 percent from 18,897 won a year ago.