Seoul, South Korea – South Koreans are finding their favorite winter treats, tangerines, and strawberries, to be increasingly out of reach this year. The prolonged heatwave experienced earlier this year has significantly impacted crop yields, leading to a sharp increase in prices.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), the average retail price of tangerines has surged by 18% compared to last year. The price of strawberries has also climbed by 14%. These increases are due to a combination of factors, including heat stress, diseases, and delayed planting.

The extreme heat caused many tangerines to develop cracks in their skin and suffer from various diseases. To mitigate the shortage, the Jeju provincial government has temporarily relaxed quality standards for tangerines. However, the damage to the crop has already been done, and consumers are feeling the pinch at the grocery store.

Strawberries, too, have been affected by the heatwave. Late planting and slow initial growth have resulted in lower yields. While production has started to recover in recent weeks, the overall supply remains limited.

The rising costs of food are not limited to fresh produce. Processed food prices have also been on the rise due to soaring costs of raw materials, such as cocoa, coffee, and palm oil. Major food manufacturers, including Orion, Haitai Confectionery, Dongsuh Foods, and Dong-A Otsuka, have announced price increases for their products.

The weaker Korean won has further exacerbated the situation by increasing the cost of imported raw materials. As a result, consumers are facing a double whammy of higher prices for both fresh and processed foods.

With winter just around the corner, South Koreans are bracing themselves for a more expensive holiday season. The combination of crop failures and rising global commodity prices has put a strain on household budgets and is expected to continue to do so in the coming months.