Heat Waves Cause Scarcity Of Supply, McDonald's Burgers In South Korea Served Without Tomatoes

Illustration of McDonald's in South Korea. (Wikimedia Commons/Leoparmr)

JAKARTA - South Korea's McDonald's was forced to temporarily remove tomatoes from its burgers, due to a shortage of supplies caused by heat waves that hit records this summer, the fast food chain lokai said Tuesday.

The company decided to offer free drink coupons to customers who ordered burgers that should be equipped with tomatoes.

"We are grateful for your patience and understanding," McDonald's Korea said in a statement.

"McDonald's is committed to stabilizing the supply of tomatoes as soon as possible," he continued.

McDonald's Korea itself is known to buy around 2,000 tons of tomatoes annually from South Korean farmers to support local communities and get high-quality materials.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the pungent hot weather has damaged tomatoes harvested in Jangsu Regency, North Jeolla Province and Cheorwon Regency, Gangwon Province.

Previously, McDonald's Korea was also forced to stop selling French fries due to concerns over "understandard" frozen potatoes from the United States in June.

McDonald's continued the sale of French fries about a week after the suspension.

In 2020, McDonald's and Burger King units in Korea will serve no tomato slices of burgers, due to the longest rainy season in the country's history.