Wando-gun Launches Full-Scale Campaign to Sell Abalone to Public Officials Nationwide

Promoting Consumption by Attracting TV Programs for Chuseok Holiday Preparation

Wando Abalone / ⓒ Asia Economy

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Shin Woo-cheol) is making an all-out effort to promote abalone consumption as domestic economic activity has stagnated due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a contraction in seafood consumption.

According to the county on the 2nd, abalone producers are facing difficulties not only due to decreased consumption but also concerns over abalone mortality caused by high water temperatures and summer typhoons. Therefore, a temporary sales event called ‘Helping Wando Abalone Producers’ will be held for two weeks targeting public officials nationwide.

The participating organizations are the Wando-gun Abalone Producers Association, Korea Abalone Distribution Association, Namdo Abalone Federation, and Korea Abalone Export Association. Live abalone is priced at 30,000 KRW for 15 to 16 pieces per 1 kg and 58,000 KRW for 2 kg, with free shipping.

To maintain freshness, the abalone is packaged and sold with seawater and oxygen injected, and phone orders can be placed through the Korea Abalone Export Association.

Wando-gun is strengthening ‘non-face-to-face marketing’ to overcome the crisis caused by COVID-19.

From August, for three months, advertisements for ‘abalone’ will be broadcast on TV and radio to promote continuous consumption of abalone through the Chuseok holiday and beyond.

Additionally, various TV programs including informational and entertainment shows will be actively invited to highlight the excellence of Wando seafood such as abalone, flatfish, and seaweed, aiming to boost sales.

In line with the consumer trend of increasing online mall usage over face-to-face shopping, an online promotional event will be held until the end of the year in collaboration with major online shopping malls (Naver, Post Office).

Monitoring the spread of COVID-19, a Chuseok holiday promotional event will be prepared in cooperation with large distribution companies such as marts and department stores, along with a direct transaction market where customers can directly check and purchase fresh Wando abalone.

Wando abalone, raised on seaweed such as sea mustard and kelp from the clean sea, contains abundant vitamins, iron, calcium, and protein, earning it the nickname ‘Ginseng of the Sea’ and making it the best health food in summer.

In particular, research published in the world-renowned marine pharmaceutical journal ‘Marine Drugs’ has shown that extracts from abalone viscera and seaweeds such as hijiki, seaweed, kelp, and sea mustard stems are effective in inhibiting the penetration of the COVID-19 virus.

Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, “We will promote abalone and hold consumption promotion events in various ways suited to the non-face-to-face consumption era to revitalize the abalone industry, which is struggling due to COVID-19.”

Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil ckp6737@asiae.co.kr