#On July 5, at the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province. Upon entering the store, a price tag showed that a watermelon, large enough for an adult to hold with both arms, was being sold for 32,000 won. Considering that an 8kg watermelon, which is commonly found in the market, is being traded in the 20,000 won range, this is about 50% more expensive. Although the product was larger and heavier than average, passing shoppers murmured, "Are watermelons really this expensive?"

With an early heatwave arriving, the price of watermelon, a representative summer fruit, is soaring.

According to the agricultural and marine products distribution information 'KAMIS' operated by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (a) on the 9th,

As of the 7th, the wholesale price of an 8kg watermelon is 24,107 won

This is an increase of 55.2% compared to the same period last year and 35% compared to the average year.

An official from Nonghyup Distribution, which operates Hanaro Mart, said, "We are maintaining average prices with stock secured before the heatwave, but supply is insufficient compared to demand." The official added, "Wholesale prices in the production areas have already surged, and the price increases will soon be reflected nationwide."

Not only Hanaro Mart, but also other major retailers such as Emart, Homeplus, and Lotte Mart are on alert due to rising watermelon prices. A representative from a major retailer said, "With the monsoon ending early and the heatwave continuing, the condition of watermelons scheduled for shipment this month is poor, resulting in a low proportion of standard-grade products." The representative also stated, "Recently, demand for watermelons has been high due to the heat, so market prices continue to rise."

Watermelon farm.

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Typically, watermelon prices rise after the monsoon ends in July, but this year, the timing has advanced due to a dry monsoon and an early heatwave, according to industry sources. Considering the recent trend of late heat lasting into August and beyond, the supply shortage of watermelons could persist for more than two months. Major retailers have expanded sourcing by contracting with farms in cool highland areas to prepare for the heatwave, but there are limits to lowering the rapidly rising prices. An industry official explained, "With less rainfall than usual and continued heat, watermelons shipped from production areas will inevitably be smaller in size." The official added, "Supply will also be tight, making it difficult for prices to drop in the short term."

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Lettuce, which faces supply shortages every summer, is also seeing prices surge. As of the 7th, the wholesale price of 4kg of green lettuce was 30,085 won, nearly doubling (98.8%) from the previous month. Compared to the same period last year, the price is up 6.1%. Although it is still 13.8% lower than the average year, there are forecasts that prices will soon spike as the costs associated with harvesting products rise due to the heatwave.

A lettuce farm representative explained, "The optimal temperature for lettuce growth is 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, but as the weather gets hotter, the weight and volume of the leaves decrease, and due to the impact of pests and diseases, the yield rate (proportion of quality products), which used to be around 90%, drops to 50%." The representative added, "To meet the wholesale standard of 4kg, more lettuce needs to be packed than usual, which increases labor costs, and management expenses for pest and disease prevention also rise."

Merchants are organizing vegetables at the Garakdong Agricultural and Marine Products Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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Major retailers are securing additional supply not only from lettuce-producing regions such as South Chungcheong and North Jeolla Provinces, but also from farms in Gangwon Province and northeastern North Gyeongsang Province, where summer temperatures are relatively lower. To stabilize prices, they are also releasing leafy vegetables stored during periods of abundant supply to prepare for the heatwave. For example, starting on the 10th, Lotte Mart will sell spinach from the southern coast and Gyeongnam region, stored using CA (Controlled Atmosphere) technology, for 2,990 won per bunch, and will offer lettuce (150g) and perilla leaves (about 30 leaves) produced by smart farms for 2,490 won and 1,990 won, respectively.

Despite these measures, price increases due to unstable supply are expected to persist for the time being. An industry official said, "Leafy vegetables are highly susceptible to wilting or burning in the heat, so in the case of lettuce, the harvest per greenhouse, which used to reach 150 boxes, has recently dropped to 20 to 30 boxes." The official also predicted, "If the heatwave and drought continue, the upward trend in prices could be prolonged."