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March 28, 2011
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Kim Ha-jin, a 42-year-old homemaker living in Songpa District, southern Seoul, has been hard pressed during recent grocery shopping to find what she considers “safe” sources of protein for her family.
“For the time being, we are getting our protein from eggs or chicken rather than fish,” she said. “And we plan to have more fresh vegetables and seaweed soup, which they say has a high concentration of iodine, [which helps prevent the accumulation of radiation in the body].”
While Japan still struggles with radiation leaks from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Korean customers are avoiding some seafood out of fear they could be exposed to radiation. Local merchants and retailers say that this trend could spread to more seafood categories, crippling demand. The price of whole pollack, in particular, has been on a roller coaster since the earthquake in Japan.
Last Friday, the price of high-quality whole pollack dropped to 30,000 won ($27) per box containing 10 to 12 kilograms, according to the Noryangjin Wholesale Fisheries Market. This came after the price spiked to 110,000 won on March 14, following the news of the earthquake but before the radiation leaks were known. Whole pollack was selling for 45,000 won per box on March 10, the day before the quake.
“There are no merchants who want to buy whole pollack due to fears of radiation from Japan,” said Pyo Hong-gi, chief of sales at the Noryangjin Wholesale Fisheries Market.
Local demand for other Japanese seafood has also slackened despite shrinking supplies.
Japanese hairtail, a popular seafood that is traditionally favored by customers because it is often cheaper than the domestic variety, has all but disappeared from Noryangjin with only about 12 to 15 boxes - half the amount from before the earthquake - coming in each day. But merchants are loathe to touch what little was available.
Kim Yeon-soon, a seafood merchant in a western-Seoul traditional market, declined to buy any Japanese hairtail while shopping for the day’s wares at the wholesale market Thursday morning.
“In the past, merchants would be fighting over any stock when supply was low. But in times like this, no one will buy,” she said.
Many merchants are voicing concern that local customers shunning Japanese seafood might spread to all seafood in general - a fear echoed by large retailers such as E-Mart and Lotte Mart.
“Considering the drop in wholesale prices from customers avoiding seafood, there is a good chance that total seafood sales could suffer a hit,” said an official from a large discount store chain.
The fears stem from reports that radioactive iodine has increased greatly in the seawater near the Fukushima reactors.
By Lee Jung-yoon [joyce@joongang.co.kr] |
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