South Korea dispatches 'mackerel task force' to stabilize seafood prices

South Korea is dispatching a 'mackerel task force' to overseas nations to combat rising prices of essential seafood, including mackerel. The initiative aims to secure foreign supply and implement significant discount events through direct government purchases to stabilize seafood prices.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that the overseas task force, comprising government officials, the Korea Maritime Institute, fisheries cooperatives, and domestic importers, will visit major mackerel-producing countries from July 6 to 17. The goal is to secure approximately 2,000 tons of Norwegian mackerel for affordable supply to the domestic market.

The task force will engage with foreign governments and producers to assess mackerel supply capabilities and explore new import sources, such as the United Kingdom and the Faroe Islands. Additionally, the government will directly purchase domestic mackerel and other recently price-increased seafood like hairtail and squid, supplying them to the market at discounted prices.

A seafood discount event will run for three weeks, from July 8 to 28, at 24 offline stores nationwide, including E-Mart and Lotte Mart. During this period, consumers can purchase seafood at prices reduced by up to 50%.