Lettuce and Perilla Leaves Up 177% and 115% Compared to Last Month
Vegetable Prices Surge Amid Cold Wave and Electricity Rate Hike
Recently, the prices of leafy vegetables such as lettuce and perilla leaves have surged. Winter vegetables require heating in greenhouses to prevent cold damage, but with the rise in electricity and gas prices, production costs have increased, leading to higher prices for leafy vegetables as well. As a result, some citizens are concerned that prices may rise further ahead of the Seollal holiday.
Gold Lettuce and Gold Perilla Leaves... Vegetable Prices Skyrocket
A platter of ssam vegetables such as lettuce and perilla leaves sold at a ssambap restaurant in downtown Seoul. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Agricultural Products Distribution Information System (KAMIS), as of the 5th, the average wholesale price of a box of red leaf lettuce (4kg) was 40,600 KRW, a 177% increase compared to last month (14,648 KRW). Compared to one year ago (23,060 KRW) and the average year (24,403 KRW), prices rose by 76% and 66%, respectively.
Perilla leaves also saw a sharp price increase. The wholesale price for 2kg of perilla leaves reached 41,120 KRW, up 115% from one month ago (19,060 KRW). Additionally, cucumbers (thorny variety, 10kg) rose 65% to 54,000 KRW from last month (32,700 KRW), and radishes (20kg) increased 21% to 14,080 KRW compared to one year ago (11,628 KRW).
The main cause of the surge in vegetable prices is seasonal factors. Leafy vegetables such as lettuce and perilla leaves are highly affected by weather conditions; during hot summers or freezing winters, their growth slows, typically causing prices to rise. Furthermore, the Russia-Ukraine war has driven up energy prices, fueling the upward trend in vegetable prices.
Previously, the government had refrained from raising electricity rates due to public backlash concerns. However, following the Russia-Ukraine war and the escalating global energy crisis, the financial situation of Korea Electric Power Corporation and others deteriorated rapidly, leading to adjustments in electricity and gas prices. This has increased heating costs.
Deep Sighs from Self-Employed Business Owners Amid Soaring Vegetable Prices
The soaring vegetable prices have particularly deepened the worries of self-employed restaurant owners. One netizen expressed on the self-employed community 'Apeunikka Sajangida' ("Because It Hurts, I'm a Boss"), "It feels like a competition over which ingredient?lettuce, green onions, or perilla leaves?has risen the most," adding, "I can't stop using these ingredients, and it's giving me a headache."
Another netizen said, "I knew vegetable prices fluctuate a lot due to weather, but the sudden sharp increase is really tough."
Consumers are also greatly concerned about the soaring vegetable prices. Yang, a housewife in her 30s living in Mokdong, Seoul, said, "Since lettuce prices have gone up, I don't think I can ask for extra leafy vegetables even when I go to a barbecue restaurant."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to expand the supply of 10 major essential items ahead of the Seollal holiday to ease household grocery burdens. The 10 major items include napa cabbage, radish, apples, pears, beef, pork, chestnuts, and jujubes.
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