Amid COVID-19 Spread... Stable Prices for Lettuce and Other Vegetables

Published 21 Dec.2021 09:37(KST)

Updated 17 Aug.2025 07:57(KST)

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According to the Consumer Price Trends by Statistics Korea, the index stood at 108.29 (2015=100), marking a 2.6% increase compared to a year ago. The inflation rate reached the highest point of the year for two consecutive months, driven by continued rises in prices of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products such as meat and eggs, as well as petroleum products. Citizens are shopping at a large supermarket in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] As dining-out demand has contracted due to the spread of COVID-19, prices of vegetables such as lettuce have not fallen and are maintaining a steady trend.

aT Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Headquarters (Head Choi Joo-hwan) announced on the 21st that it has published issue 2124 of the local agricultural products newsletter "Eolmayo."

According to the report, among vegetables, napa cabbage and radish showed a downward trend due to weakened consumption as kimchi-making season generally came to an end.

However, other vegetables such as lettuce are maintaining a steady trend despite the year-end special season, as dining-out demand has contracted due to restrictions on gathering sizes and business hours amid the spread of COVID-19.

Among fruits, tangerines showed a downward trend due to increased supply during peak season, while other fruits, including strawberries, maintained stability without significant fluctuations due to consumption dispersion from various fresh fruit shipments and controlled shipments from production areas.

An aT official stated regarding the outlook for the next two weeks, “Due to deteriorating growing conditions caused by temperature drops and reduced sunlight, shipments from production areas are expected to be sluggish. Additionally, with reduced school meal demand during school vacations and strengthened social distancing measures, most vegetables such as napa cabbage and radish are expected to show a downward trend.”