Heat wave drives up Korean vegetable prices sharply 

Prices of agricultural goods in Korea have spiked as the country grapples with a severe heat wave, industry data showed Sunday.

The retail price of 100 grams of spinach had vaulted 152.3 percent as of Friday, up 152.3 percent from the same day a month earlier, according to the data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp.

The price of 10 cucumbers climbed 54.8 percent during the same period, while 100 grams of blue lettuce jumped 41.7 percent, according to the data.

The government attributed the hike to the prolonged heat wave, as vegetables, especially green vegetables, are vulnerable to high temperatures.

"Vegetables such as spinach, cucumbers and zucchinis grow well in cool temperatures and tend to surge in prices as their supply drops in the summer season," the Agriculture Ministry said.

Yonhap