Disclosed is a practical method for production of 3, 3-difluoro-2-hydroxypropionic acid, which is important as pharmaceutical and agrichemical intermediates. The method includes forming a 4, 4-difluoro-2, 2-dichloro-3-oxobutanoic acid ester by reaction of a 4, 4-difluoro-3-oxobutanoic acid ester with chlorine (Cl2), forming 3, 3-difluoro-1, 1-dichloro-2-propanone by reaction of the chlorination product with an acid, and then, reacting the degradation product with a basic aqueous solution.