"Year-End Party with Whole Tuna Belly Sashimi and Sushi"... Bluefin Tuna Price Halved

Current Status of Seafood Distribution Platform 'In-eo Gyoju Haejeokdan'
Price of Whole Belly Meat per 1kg Down 47% Compared to Last Year
Large Quantity Released After Securing Stock Expecting Further Price Increase

The price of frozen bluefin tuna, a favorite among tuna enthusiasts for sashimi, has dropped by nearly 50% over the past year. This is attributed to a large volume of stock, which wholesalers had secured expecting further price increases due to high prices over the past two years, being released into the market. On online sales channels, supplies of popular cuts are quickly being depleted, and competition for orders is expected to intensify as the year-end approaches.

According to the seafood distribution platform 'In-eo Gyoju Haejeokdan' on the 7th, the market price of frozen whole bluefin tuna belly, preferred by consumers among tuna sashimi, was set at 89,000 KRW per kilogram as of December this year. This represents a 47% drop in retail price from 169,000 KRW during the same period last year. One kilogram of whole bluefin tuna belly, consisting of navel, large belly, and middle belly cuts, is enough for four people when served as sashimi and for five to six people when accompanied by sushi. The price of this cut had hovered in the mid-100,000 KRW range in 2021, peaked last year, and has been sharply declining since. From September to mid-November, prices remained around 130,000 KRW per kilogram but dropped further as winter began.

An industry insider noted, "Frozen bluefin tuna maintained high prices in recent years, leading sellers to eagerly stockpile in anticipation of further increases. However, demand did not meet expectations, resulting in a large volume of unsold stock being released at lower prices."

Bluefin tuna belongs to the Scombridae family and has a high blood volume, making it prone to spoilage. Therefore, it is processed immediately upon capture and frozen at around minus 60 degrees Celsius for distribution. The belly cuts, which have a high fat content, are popular when eaten as sashimi, with the first and second belly cuts near the head being especially fatty. It is known that the fat content of bluefin tuna can reach about 40% during winter.

Due to this seasonal characteristic and relatively low prices, frozen bluefin tuna is gaining popularity online. On the online sales platform operated by In-eo Gyoju Haejeokdan, supplies prepared by capacity for dates close to the receipt date have sold out. Only some sizes, such as 800?900g, are available for products that can be received starting next week.