Due to heavy rain concentrated mainly in the central region, crops covering an area of over 10,000 hectares (1 hectare = 10,000㎡) were submerged.
On the 12th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the nationwide flooded crop area was recorded at 10,342 hectares as of 6 p.m. the previous day. This is larger than the area of 14,000 soccer fields.
As the damage from the heavy rain was gradually tallied, the flooded area increased by about 800 hectares in just one day. The region with the greatest crop damage was Chungnam, where 7,423 hectares were submerged. This was followed by Gyeongbuk (1,652 hectares) and Jeonbuk (1,039 hectares).
By crop type, rice accounted for the majority with 7,581 hectares. Soybeans were submerged over 580 hectares, and peppers over 352 hectares. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon (174 hectares), grapes (165 hectares), oriental melons (230 hectares), and peaches (117 hectares) also suffered flood damage. Lettuce (120 hectares) and tomatoes (95 hectares) were also affected.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is closely monitoring whether the heavy rain damage will affect agricultural product prices. There are concerns that food prices could rise further due to supply instability caused by weather conditions such as the monsoon and heatwaves.
Amid the flood damage, some vegetables showed a short-term surge in prices. According to wholesale price statistics compiled by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, including prices at production auction markets and Garak Market auction prices, prices of green lettuce, perilla leaves, and cucumbers soared within a day.
As of that day, the price of green lettuce was 68,923 won for 4 kg, a 77% increase from the previous day (39,016 won). It rose 285% compared to the previous month and was 73% more expensive than the average year. Perilla leaves were priced at 33,173 won per 100 bundles, up 33% from the previous day (24,958 won). Compared to the previous month and the average year, prices were 137% and 60% higher, respectively. The wholesale prices of oriental melons and watermelons also rose by 22% each within a day, remaining above average levels.
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