Government Dispatches Special Envoy to Secure Additional Mackerel from Norway

Seafood sales section at a large supermarket in Seoul on June 21.

The government is sending a special envoy to major mackerel-producing countries to stabilize mackerel prices. The goal is to secure approximately 2,000 tons of Norwegian mackerel, along with a nationwide seafood discount event to alleviate the burden on consumers.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on July 5 that it is implementing measures to stabilize seafood prices in response to rising costs of key seafood products, including mackerel. These measures include securing overseas supplies, direct government purchases, and large-scale discount events.
From July 6 to 17, the ministry will dispatch a 'Mackerel Special Envoy' to Norway and other major mackerel-producing nations. The envoy will consist of officials from the ministry, the Korea Maritime Institute, the Korea Fisheries Association, and importers.
The envoy will meet with local governments and the production and export sectors to assess supply capabilities and secure additional quantities. Plans also include identifying new suppliers in the UK and the Faroe Islands to diversify the current import structure, which is heavily reliant on specific countries.
Through this initiative, the government aims to secure about 2,000 tons of Norwegian mackerel for affordable distribution in the domestic market. Additionally, the government will directly purchase domestic mackerel and other seafood products, such as hairtail and squid, which have seen recent price increases, to supply them at discounted rates.
This strategy goes beyond merely increasing import volumes; it involves the government visiting overseas production countries to secure supplies and then coordinating with domestic distributors to lower consumer prices.
The ministry plans to hold discussions with major retailers, including large supermarkets, to monitor the sales prices and consumption trends of key fish species such as mackerel, hairtail, and squid. The government intends to ensure that the secured quantities and discount support lead to actual reductions in consumer prices through ongoing consultations with the distribution sector.
To facilitate seafood discounts, the ministry will conduct a three-week seafood discount event from July 8 to 28 at 24 offline stores, including large supermarkets nationwide.
This will be the first time since the program's inception in 2020 that a discount event will cover all seafood products. Consumers will be able to purchase domestic seafood at discounts of up to 50% during the event.
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo stated, "To proactively respond to rising mackerel prices, the government plans to send a special envoy to secure additional supplies and explore new import sources. We will ensure that the secured quantities are quickly supplied to the domestic market and lead to actual reductions in consumer prices."

* This article has been translated by AI.