As Prices of Flatfish and Salmon Soar... Supermarkets Launch Tuna Sashimi Discount Events

Domestic fresh bluefin tuna sashimi from Emart.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As the prices of raw fish, known as the 'national sashimi ingredients' such as flatfish and salmon, have risen, the supermarket industry has started offering tuna sashimi, which experiences relatively less price fluctuation, in larger quantities along with discount events.

According to the industry on the 2nd, E-Mart will offer 'Yokjido Fresh Bluefin Tuna Sashimi' made from domestically farmed fresh bluefin tuna at promotional prices for four days from the 3rd to the 6th. The fresh bluefin tuna sashimi is sold for 23,840 KRW when using a card, and the premium bluefin tuna sashimi is sold for 34,240 KRW with card payment during the event. Considering that domestic bluefin tuna sashimi is usually sold at around 20,000 KRW per 100g at high-end sashimi restaurants, this price is about half.

Lotte Mart will also offer a 'Price-Stabilized Tuna Assortment Sashimi (300g, deep-sea origin)' consisting of yellowfin tuna belly and lean meat at 15,800 KRW, more than 40% cheaper than the current market price, until the 8th.

The reason the industry has turned its attention to tuna is largely due to the rising prices of flatfish and salmon. Due to the COVID-19 issue, nationwide fish farms reduced flatfish farming volumes in anticipation of decreased dining-out demand, but delivery demand surged, causing prices to start rising since last year. The popular sashimi ingredient salmon also saw prices more than double due to the Russia-Ukraine war issue.

In response, supermarkets have reduced production and logistics costs by purchasing bluefin tuna in bulk, allowing them to offer it to consumers at affordable prices. E-Mart secured a total of 13 tons of bluefin tuna after negotiations with bluefin tuna farms over a period of more than two years. Lotte Mart also reduced costs by pre-contracting 10 tons of yellowfin tuna caught by Dongwon Industry at the production site in bulk.

An industry official said, "The supermarket industry prepared such events to ease the financial burden on consumers caused by the recent sharp rise in seafood prices," adding, "We hope this will help stabilize prices in a practical way, even if only a little."