| Watermelons are displayed in the produce section at an E-mart store in Seoul, on June 16. |
By Kim Jae-heun
A 58-year-old housewife surnamed Kim was surprised to see how expensive watermelons have become in recent weeks. Watermelon is one of Koreans' favorite seasonal fruits in the summer, but many shoppers are hesitant to put one in their shopping baskets, as prices have increased by more than 30 percent from a year ago, according to retailers.
“Watermelons have become 2,000 won ($1.55) to 3,000 won more expensive recently. It is my husband and children's favorite fruit, but the higher price is making me rethink purchasing it,” Kim said.
Another housewife surnamed Lee said that she has been choosing other fruits over watermelon due to the high price.
“How can a watermelon become 22,000 won all of sudden? I have never paid that much money to eat that fruit. It is now a luxury to eat watermelon,” Lee said.
Climate change has made the volume of watermelon shipments in the country drop by 4 percent. Summer this year came earlier than expected and increasing demand for watermelon from consumers has made its price go up.
According to a Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) report issued in June, the domestic price of watermelon is expected to reach between 2,300 won and 2,500 won per kilogram. Last June, the fruit's price was 1,900 won per kilogram.
The KREI said that the shortage of farm labor, decreases in the size of the cultivation areas for watermelons in the country and the abnormal climate affected the fruit's price the most.
“It was inevitable for supermarkets to increase watermelon prices by 20 percent to 30 percent after domestic prices, in general, soared to the same level. The watermelon price hike is due to the continued drought and other unfavorable weather conditions,” said an official at a supermarket chain.