Government to discount pollock, mackerel and other seafood up to 40% ahead of Chuseok

The government will release 20,000 tons of stockpiled seafood — including pollock, mackerel and squid — onto the market ahead of Chuseok in what officials say is the largest such release on record. Consumers will be able to buy the products at prices up to 40% below prevailing market rates.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Sunday that it will supply the 20,000 tons through traditional markets, hypermarkets, and online and offline wholesale markets nationwide from Monday through Sept. 27.

Pollock accounts for the largest share at 15,700 tons, followed by squid at 1,700 tons, mackerel at 1,500 tons, hairtail at 800 tons, yellow croaker at 200 tons and dried anchovy at 100 tons.

The release will also include pre-cleaned, ready-to-use products to make preparation easier for consumers, such as mackerel fillets, sliced frozen pollock and whole kodari — semi-dried pollock.

The ministry plans to expand the supply of high-demand seafood ahead of Chuseok to stabilize market prices and ease the burden on household budgets. Consumer prices will be set at up to 40% below market rates across traditional markets, hypermarkets, and online and offline wholesale channels.

"We are releasing a record volume of stockpiled seafood so that people can buy it at reasonable prices ahead of the Chuseok holiday," Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo said. "We will continue to closely monitor supply, demand and price trends for key seafood products and push ahead without delay with stabilization measures that people can actually feel."