[THE INVESTOR] With the record summer heat and drought sending prices of napa cabbage up by more than 230 percent, sales of packaged kimchi have surged, retailers said on Sept. 21.

At E-mart, sales of packaged kimchi rose 67 percent so far this month compared to the same period last year, totaling 4 billion won (US$3.58 million), company officials said.

The wholesale price of napa cabbages averaged 6,128 won per 10 kilograms before the Chuseok holiday last year. This year, they were priced at 20,462 won, a jump of 234 percent, affected heavily by the poor harvest due to the dry and scorching summer climate.

Consumers are picking up packaged products, which have steadier prices because they were made with cabbages before the prices spiraled up, retailers said.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)