"A Good Day for Sashimi" Emart Offers 43% Discount on 2kg Super Flatfish Sashimi

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Emart has introduced a ‘Super Flatfish’ weighing over 2kg. This is due to an increase in flatfish that could not be shipped on time because of limited sales channels.

Emart announced on the 2nd that it will sell ‘Whole Family Flatfish Sashimi (around 480g per pack)’ at a 43% discount from the regular price of 33,000 KRW to 18,900 KRW until the 8th. Instead of the usual 1.3 to 1.5kg size that has been the main product, they commercialized flatfish weighing over 2kg.

Generally, the larger the flatfish, the better the taste and texture. Because of this, the price is also high, so large supermarkets usually handle quantities in the mid-1kg range, which are relatively affordable and of good quality.

Emart introduced such large-sized flatfish because domestic demand has been sluggish and exports have decreased, causing delays in flatfish shipments and a significant increase in flatfish weighing over 2kg, leading to price drops. Along with the rise of substitutes like salmon, the market position continues to shrink. A red light has also been turned on for exports. According to customs export-import trade statistics, flatfish exports from January to November this year decreased by 13.0% compared to the same period last year.

While demand is decreasing, production is increasing, and prices have been continuously falling. In particular, the price decline for relatively large flatfish has been steep, significantly narrowing the price gap with 1kg flatfish. According to the Korea Maritime Institute’s Fisheries Industry Observation Center, the flatfish farm price in November was 8,134 KRW per kg, down 23.1% and 30.9% compared to the previous year and the average year, respectively.

Lee Se-woo, Emart’s Fisheries Team Leader, said, “Due to prolonged flatfish consumption sluggishness and export decline, securing sales channels for large-sized flatfish has become urgent, leading to this event. We will continue to develop various consumption activation plans to promote flatfish consumption and support aquaculture farms.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.