No 'Yang Sangchu' in Hamburgers and Salads? ... "Supply Disruption Due to Early Cold Wave"

Notice of Sales Suspension for McDonald's and Subway

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] It will be difficult to find lettuce in hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads sold in the market for the time being. This is because the sudden cold wave caused cold damage to the lettuce, triggering a supply emergency and causing prices to soar more than three times higher than usual.

According to the food service industry on the 23rd, McDonald's apologized to customers on its website the day before, stating that some menu items such as hamburgers may contain less lettuce than usual or may not be provided at all for the time being. McDonald's explained, "Due to the sudden cold wave, lettuce supply is unstable," and added, "Customers who purchase products containing lettuce will be given a free drink coupon redeemable at the store."

Subway also stated, "Sales of salad products may be temporarily suspended at some stores, and the amount of lettuce in sandwiches will be provided only in the standard quantity," and added, "We will do our best to normalize supply as soon as possible."

The reason for the disruption in lettuce supply is the early and sudden cold wave compared to previous years. On the 17th, the lowest temperature in Seoul (1.3 degrees Celsius) dropped to the lowest level in 64 years since 1957 for mid-October weather, bringing an early cold wave nationwide, and cabbage farms suffered frost and other cold damage.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) wholesale distribution information system, as of the 22nd, the nationwide wholesale price of lettuce was 3,950 KRW per kilogram, more than three times higher than 1,307 KRW per kilogram on the 12th, just ten days earlier. Previously, the average wholesale price of lettuce in October from 2018 to 2020 was between 1,400 and 1,700 KRW per kilogram, less than half of this year's price.

At the Garak Market in Seoul on the 22nd, the wholesale price of a 10 kg box of lettuce (standard grade) averaged 57,750 KRW, 13.5% (6,854 KRW) higher than the previous day and 34.7% (14,889 KRW) higher than a week ago. Compared to 14,358 KRW at the same time last year, the price has surged more than threefold.

A distribution industry official said, "Lettuce, a representative leafy vegetable, is extremely vulnerable to weather and temperature," and predicted, "Since a significant amount of supply in production areas has suffered cold damage, reducing shipment volume, the shortage of supply and strong prices will continue for the time being."