From heatwaves to snow: Weather crisis drives vegetable costs up in Japan

Unusual weather in Japan is pushing up prices for vegetables, making it harder for families to afford basic foods. A heatwave during the summer damaged crops, and now heavy snow is making the situation worse. Cabbage prices have tripled, while Chinese cabbage costs twice as much as before, according to local reports. Japan’s agriculture ministry says prices for key vegetables have risen between 117% and 336% over the past five years.

Farmers are struggling despite the price hikes because bad weather has cut harvests, reducing their profits. Some Japanese households have started growing vegetables at home, using kitchen scraps to regrow plants like leeks and scallions. People are also sharing home gardening tips online to help others cope with rising food costs. Experts warn that extreme weather linked to climate change could lead to more food shortages in the future.

source: thecooldown.com

photo: medium.com