The price of mackerel, a popular autumn delicacy, has surged significantly. This increase comes as the catch volume from production areas has sharply declined, coinciding with the highest sea temperatures recorded in the southern sea this summer in the past decade.
According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), the retail price of live mackerel at major traditional markets, including Busan's Jagalchi and Bujeon markets, ranged from 35,000 to 40,000 won per kilogram from September 7 to 10.
Wholesale prices have also risen dramatically compared to last year. The weekly seafood trends from the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market indicate that the average wholesale price of mackerel from August 31 to September 5 was 32,900 won per kilogram, a 229% increase from 10,000 won during the same period last year.
Alongside rising prices, a decrease in mackerel supply has been observed in production areas. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries reported that the catch volume of mackerel from nine fishing cooperatives in Gyeongnam last month was 50,773 kilograms, down 72.2% from 182,339 kilograms during the same period last year.
The decline varied significantly by region. The Tongyeong Fishing Cooperative saw its mackerel catch drop from 30,040 kilograms in August last year to just 979 kilograms this year, a 97% decrease. Similarly, the Samcheok Fishing Cooperative's catch fell from 55,457 kilograms to 8,815 kilograms, an 84% drop. The catch at the Masan Fishing Cooperative also decreased from 8,003 kilograms to 2,440 kilograms, a 69.5% reduction. The average price per kilogram at auction rose by 60.4%, from 6,079 won to 9,750 won.
The poor catch has been attributed to high sea temperatures. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the average sea surface temperature in the southern sea from June to August this year was 25.4 degrees Celsius, the highest in the last decade and 0.8 degrees higher than the recent ten-year average. The average sea surface temperature at the end of August reached 29.3 degrees Celsius, the second highest in the past decade.
Local fishermen in Gyeongnam have reported difficulties in catching mackerel near the coast due to the high temperatures. After the mackerel fishing ban ended in early August, operations resumed, but catches remained poor, coinciding with a high sea temperature advisory in the area.
Nationwide, the decline in mackerel catch has also been noted. According to data from the National Fisheries Research Institute, the total mackerel catch from January to July this year was 2,117 tons, down 369 tons from 2,486 tons during the same period in 2024, when high sea temperatures caused significant damage.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.