Typhoon takes toll on Korea's iceberg lettuce supplies, restaurants face shortage

A head of a rotting iceberg lettuce sits at a farm in Hoengseong County, Gangwon, on June 27. [YONHAP]

The low supply of iceberg lettuce due to extreme weather conditions in Korea is forcing franchise restaurants to sell their foods without the leafy green, according to the food industry Tuesday.

Several branches of McDonald’s Korea had to serve some of their items with less or none of the lettuce due to the unstable supply.

“Due to the recent climate conditions, the supply of iceberg lettuce has been unstable,” a spokesperson for McDonald’s Korea said.

The low supply of vegetables is largely seen to be due to the extreme weather conditions throughout the summer and the recent landing of Typhoon Hinnamnor.

Sandwich franchise Subway is also struggling to secure the ingredient, which may render some branches unable to sell salads. The company added the supply of other vegetables is fine.

The price of iceberg lettuce rose 65.9 percent on month to 28,975 won ($21.06), based on the retail price at Garak Traditional Market in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]