Crabs are being sold at a seafood market in Seoul on Aug. 27, 2023, with a sign indicating that they were caught in South Korea, after Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant on Aug. 24. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — On the day Japan commenced the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant, there was a notable upswing in dried seafood sales at supermarkets across South Korea.
The retail industry posits that consumer apprehension regarding seafood safety following the contaminated water discharge prompted a surge in stockpiling behavior.
Based on data disclosed by a prominent supermarket last Friday, overall seafood sales on Thursday, the preceding day, exhibited a remarkable 35 percent spike in comparison to the same day the previous year.
Sales of highly perishable items like anchovies and yellowtail experienced a staggering surge of 130 percent, while dried seaweed saw an impressive uptick of 100 percent.
Other supermarkets witnessed a collective increase of about 15 percent in overall seafood sales, propelled by a nearly 40 percent boost in dried seafood sales.
Consumer preferences leaned towards products like anchovies, which saw a 150 percent increase, and wakame, which saw an even more pronounced rise of 180 percent.
Sales of salt, in particular, witnessed the most substantial rise, soaring by 250 percent.
Conversely, other commonplace fish varieties such as cutlassfish and mackerel exhibited sales trends akin to those of last year.
The retail sector opines that this surge in demand for dried seafood can be attributed to a cautious approach stemming from the ongoing contaminated water release.
A retailer commented, “This daily sales trend is quite uncommon, and I believe an underlying sentiment is at play, where consumers perceive this as potentially their final opportunity to procure safe seafood.”
Protesters stage a rally in central Seoul on Aug. 26, 2023, lambasting Japan for its discharge of contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. (Yonhap)
Undoubtedly, consumers who prioritize food safety remain unsettled by governmental assurances of security.
The retail industry anticipates a gradual decline in seafood demand post-release, prompting them to grapple with strategies like product supply and inventory management.
“Internally, we are vigilantly monitoring the seafood sales trend and strategizing how best to handle seafood products,” an supermarket official said.
Concurrently, supermarkets are intensifying their emergency protocols, including an increase in radiation level testing.
Emart has raised its radiation testing status from “peacetime” to “caution,” opting to subject up to 75 percent of its seafood inventory to testing.
This process will occur in two stages, utilizing a basic device at the distribution center and a more sophisticated apparatus at the supermarket’s product safety center the subsequent day.
Lotte Mart also intends to increase the frequency of sample inspections, up from the current four times a week.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
