韓國作為亞洲的高收入發達國家，擁有世界領先的科技產業與經濟體系，但在日常生活層面，物價，特別是農產品與食材價格卻常常讓人感到驚訝。近期更因為過度炎熱、農作歉收等因素，造成蔬菜與水果價格飆升，引發「吃不起肉」、「吃不起水果」的社會話題。這背後其實涉及多重結構性原因，並非單一因素所致。

首先，韓國地形多山，適合農業發展的平原面積非常有限。根據韓國農業統計，農業用地僅佔國土總面積的18%左右，而耕地集中於少數地區，使得農業產能本就無法規模化，加上農村人口老化與青壯年勞動力不足，導致整體農業生產效率偏低。當極端天氣如乾旱、熱浪或暴雨發生時，農作物產量便會受到明顯衝擊，使得本地供應鏈失衡，價格自然水漲船高。

其次，韓國政府長年實施農業保護政策，為了維護本國農民收益，對進口農產品設下高額關稅與配額限制。例如進口米、蔬菜與某些肉類常常面臨關稅超過40%甚至更高的情況，導致即使國外農產品價格較低，進口後售價也並不便宜。這種政策雖有助於保護本地農民，但在氣候異常、供應量下降時，卻加劇了價格上漲的幅度與持續時間。

再者，韓國的物流與流通體系也造成一定程度的加價效應。許多農產品需經由農協（Nonghyup）與批發市場層層轉手，最後才進入零售端，如超市或傳統市場。在這過程中，價格經過數次疊加，最終到達消費者手中時已非原價。此外，由於冷鏈物流成本高昂，像西瓜、草莓、大白菜等對保鮮要求高的產品，特別容易受到物流費用與季節性波動的影響，價格自然偏高。

近期2025年夏季的異常高溫與乾旱，則進一步加劇這一情況。西瓜、白菜、蘿蔔等夏季重點農作物受到氣候災害影響，產量大減，導致價格飆升。例如，首爾市面上一顆普通大小的西瓜已達3萬韓元（約合台幣650元），一棵大白菜逼近5000韓元。這對以泡菜為日常主食的韓國家庭而言，不僅是消費問題，更是「民生焦慮」。面對這樣的情況，政府被迫啟動戰略儲備農產品的釋出，穩定市場供應與價格波動。

肉類方面，雖然韓國本地亦有豬、牛等畜牧產業，但飼料高度依賴進口，而全球飼料價格近年也受戰爭與氣候變遷影響劇烈波動，再加上韓國對進口牛肉仍設有一定貿易限制，使得肉類價格始終居高不下。尤其是韓牛，作為高價象徵，早已非一般家庭日常食材，而是節日、宴席或特別場合才會選擇的「奢侈肉品」。

總體而言，韓國物價特別是農產品與肉類價格之所以居高不下，並非因為國家貧窮或供應不足，而是多種政策、地理、氣候與市場結構共同造成的結果。當極端氣候與全球通脹同步發生時，這種高物價現象就會更為明顯。對消費者而言，即便生活於高科技的現代化國家，也無法避免「買菜壓力」，這正是韓國社會近年對食品價格高度敏感的根源。

As a high-income, developed country in Asia, South Korea boasts a world-leading tech industry and economic system. However, when it comes to daily life, the prices of goods—especially agricultural products and food—often come as a shock. Recently, due to excessive heat and poor harvests, the prices of vegetables and fruits have soared, sparking social debates about “not being able to afford meat” or “not being able to afford fruit.” Behind this lies a complex web of structural factors rather than a single cause.

First, South Korea’s geography is largely mountainous, with very limited plains suitable for agriculture. According to agricultural statistics, farmland comprises only about 18% of the national territory, and arable land is concentrated in just a few areas. This makes large-scale agriculture difficult. Combined with an aging rural population and a shortage of young labor, overall agricultural productivity remains low. When extreme weather events such as droughts, heatwaves, or heavy rains occur, crop yields are heavily impacted, disrupting the local supply chain and naturally driving prices up.

Secondly, the South Korean government has long implemented agricultural protection policies aimed at supporting domestic farmers by imposing high tariffs and import quotas on foreign agricultural products. For example, imported rice, vegetables, and some types of meat can be subject to tariffs exceeding 40%, sometimes much higher. As a result, even if foreign goods are cheaper at the source, their retail prices remain high once they reach Korean consumers. While this policy helps protect local farmers, during periods of climate anomalies or supply shortages, it also amplifies both the degree and duration of price surges.

Moreover, South Korea’s logistics and distribution systems contribute to price inflation. Many agricultural products pass through multiple layers of distribution—such as agricultural cooperatives (Nonghyup) and wholesale markets—before reaching supermarkets or traditional markets. At each step, prices increase, so by the time they reach consumers, the cost is significantly inflated. Additionally, due to the high cost of cold-chain logistics, perishable items such as watermelons, strawberries, and napa cabbage are especially affected by transportation costs and seasonal fluctuations.

The abnormal heat and drought during the summer of 2025 have further intensified this issue. Crops like watermelon, cabbage, and radish have suffered due to weather-related disasters, resulting in a dramatic drop in supply and sharp price hikes. For example, an average-sized watermelon in Seoul now costs around 30,000 KRW (roughly 650 TWD), and a single head of napa cabbage can cost nearly 5,000 KRW. For Korean households, where kimchi is a staple, this is more than a cost issue—it’s a matter of public concern. In response, the government has begun releasing strategic food reserves to stabilize market supply and prices.

As for meat, while Korea does have its own pork and beef industries, they rely heavily on imported feed. Global feed prices have fluctuated dramatically in recent years due to war and climate change. In addition, South Korea continues to impose certain trade restrictions on imported beef, keeping meat prices consistently high. Hanwoo, the premium Korean beef, has long ceased to be a daily staple for average families and is now considered a luxury item reserved for holidays, banquets, or special occasions.

In summary, the high prices of agricultural products and meat in South Korea are not the result of poverty or supply shortages, but rather a combination of policy decisions, geographical constraints, climate conditions, and market structures. When extreme weather and global inflation occur simultaneously, these price issues become even more pronounced. For consumers, even in a highly developed, tech-savvy country, the burden of grocery shopping remains real. This is the core reason why South Korean society has become increasingly sensitive to food prices in recent years.