As abalone production increases and prices drop, Wando abalone is being featured in various dishes such as dumplings, sushi, and fried chicken at a department store food hall in Busan.
By offering abalone as a convenient ready-to-eat product, the festival aims to change consumer habits regarding this premium seafood.
Shinsegae Centum City announced on the 16th that it will host an 'Abalone Festival' on the first basement level of its food hall until the 22nd, featuring nine types of ready-to-eat dishes made with abalone.
The event will showcase a variety of dishes prepared on-site using fresh Wando abalone shipped directly from the source.
Highlight dishes include abalone dumplings filled with whole abalone and abalone fried rice infused with a grilled flavor. There will also be abalone yaki, featuring grilled octopus and abalone topped with bonito flakes.
Additionally, the menu includes abalone fried chicken seasoned with soy sauce, mini kimbap with abalone and seaweed, abalone fish cakes, and whole abalone snacks, all designed to be enjoyed without much fuss.
This event has garnered attention due to the drop in prices linked to the increase in abalone production. Wando, which accounts for about 74% of the country's abalone production, has seen a steady rise in supply due to expanded farming facilities and improved production techniques.
National abalone production increased from 23,317 tons in 2024 to 27,177 tons last year, with projections suggesting it will exceed 30,000 tons this year. The number of farming cages in Wando has also grown from approximately 660,000 in 2013 to over 1,080,000 last year. However, prices at the source have been declining.
According to the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), the price of abalone at the source fell by about 33%, from 20,664 won in 2022 to 13,851 won last year.
The price of abalone, based on 1 kg (20 pieces), as reported by Wando County, also dropped from 26,000 won in 2022 to 13,000 won in July of this year. Early harvesting by farmers concerned about high summer temperatures has also contributed to the price decline.
In response, the government and local authorities are working on measures to adjust supply and expand consumption. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, along with the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and Wando County, held a meeting in July to discuss plans to reduce farming cages by 50,000 each year starting next year, and to promote the consumption of 5,000 tons of excess abalone.
They are also considering promotional events in collaboration with large retailers and price compensation measures. Wando County is pushing for the establishment of processing facilities worth 20 billion won to improve the distribution structure centered on live abalone.
In this context, the sale of processed abalone products through department store food halls is seen as an effort to broaden the consumer market beyond live abalone. However, it is difficult to directly compare source prices with department store prices, as ready-to-eat products also include costs for preparation, labor, and distribution.
A representative from Shinsegae Centum City stated, “We have prepared Wando abalone, secured for its freshness and quality through a direct shipping system, in unique dishes. We hope visitors will enjoy this gourmet event featuring a variety of abalone menus all in one place.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.