SEOUL, March 26 Reuters South Korea39;s consumer sentiment dropped sharply in March on growing worries about higher produce prices, a central bank survey showed on Tuesday, as inflation hitting the dinner table emerges as a major policy issue at next month39;s elections.

The consumer sentiment index fell to 100.7 in March from 101.9 in February, posting the biggest monthly drop since October, the Bank of Korea39;s monthly survey of consumers showed.

Inflation expectations among consumers for the next 12 months rose for the first time in five months, to 3.2 from 3.0, according to the survey, with twothirds of the respondents saying produce prices would drive inflation.

That was up from 51.5 in the previous month responding to the same question.

South Korea39;s consumer inflation accelerated in February, after three months of easing, due to supplyside pressures, mostly from higher agricultural prices.

Experts have attributed higher prices of agricultural products in part to poor weather but the opposition Democratic Party DP has targeted President Yoon Suk Yeol39;s government for mismanaging the economy.

The economy is collapsing and prices are going through the roof, Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung said at a campaign rally in a major produce market on Sunday.

South Koreans will go to the polls to elect the 300member parliament and Yoon39;s conservative People Power Party faces an uphill battle to win back a majority now held by the opposition.

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