Photo/Illutration A string of cabbage thefts from farms in Ibaraki Prefecture were reported in December. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The record-breaking heat wave in summer has caused vegetable prices to soar, and now, the cold front that has led to heavy snowfalls around Japan could make the produce even more expensive.

Cabbage prices have tripled from the average, while Chinese cabbage costs twice as much as normal.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has been surveying over-the-counter prices of eight main types of vegetables at 470 supermarkets and other locations nationwide.

The latest figures released on Jan. 7 showed that prices for all eight items from Dec. 23 to 25 last year ranged from 117 percent to 336 percent above the average over the past five years.

Cabbage cost 453 yen($2.80) per kilogram, or 336 percent of the normal year and the highest price since February 2018.

Farm minister Taku Eto said “one large cabbage head costs 1,000 yen” at a supermarket in Tokyo.

Other high prices included lettuce, at 238 percent of the average price, and Chinese cabbage at 195 percent of the norm.

The severe summer heat led to poor growing conditions for vegetables, and unseasonable weather has been observed since autumn.

In Ibaraki Prefecture, a major cabbage-producing area, a string of thefts of the vegetables were reported at farms just before harvest at the end of last year.

According to the ministry’s survey covering major production areas and wholesale markets, the cabbage shipment volume is expected to recover toward the end of January, but prices will likely remain above normal.

Shipments of lettuce in January are expected to be below average, while prices will likely remain high.

However, a ministry official warned, “These are predictions as of the time of the survey, so the effects of the cold front and other factors have not been taken into account.”

The cold front has caused heavy snowfalls mainly on the Sea of Japan side of the country, which may lead to even higher prices of vegetables.

At a news conference after a Cabinet meeting on Jan. 10, Eto said: “Farmers are unable to secure all the profits from the price increases. I would appreciate it if you could understand that farmers are struggling to make shipments.”

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