E-mart announced Friday that it will offer fresh autumn blue crabs at ultra-low prices on the first day the seasonal fishing ban is lifted, as part of a broader discount sale on seasonal foods.
The retailer will sell domestically caught fresh autumn blue crabs at 689 won per 100 grams from Friday through Sunday. From Monday through Wednesday, customers who accumulate Shinsegae points can buy them at 772 won per 100 grams — a discount of more than 60 percent off the regular price of 1,980 won per 100 grams. Last year, E-mart sold blue crabs at 741 won per 100 grams immediately after the fishing ban was lifted.
To secure supply for the event, E-mart signed exclusive contracts with more than 50 vessels at major blue crab fishing grounds along the West Sea coast, including Taean in South Chungcheong Province. Crabs caught at sea are processed at dedicated facilities near the port and delivered to E-mart stores the same day. To maintain freshness, they are transported in traditional sawdust boxes or insulated containers packed with ice.
"To offer fresh autumn blue crabs to as many customers as possible on the first day the ban lifts, we are planning to prepare around 20 tons for the opening day — an increase of more than 70 percent compared to last year," an E-mart official said. "With a cold-chain system in place from the fishing grounds to the consumer, shoppers at any of our stores nationwide can purchase fresh crabs."
E-mart will also sell summer seasonal produce at special prices from Thursday through Wednesday next week as part of a discount support program run in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The retailer will hold a "Grape Festa," offering Shine Muscat and Campbell grapes at discounted prices under the program. Imported grapes across all varieties will be available at 30 percent off for customers who accumulate Shinsegae points. Newly harvested produce — including Wonhwang pears, an early-ripening variety that comes to market before the Shingo pear, and fresh kabocha sweet potatoes — will also go on sale at program discount prices.
korean@heraldcorp.com
