Why should customers understand the legal system for seafood distribution and sale
South Korea has a unique law for both seafood and agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits. All seafood must be listed to Suhyub(National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative) for distribution and sales of seafood through auction or appropriate legal contracts or sales methods.
Thus, the cost and price of seafood are determined by the daily auction at the wholesale market and changes every day by the demand and supply.
Thus depending on the daily auction prices, the sales price to customers of retail shops also vary every day for ordinary customers as well. Understanding the basic system helps customers determine a target price of their seafood in demand.
Importance of the auctions of Noryangjin Seafood Market
Although the Noryangjin Seafood Market isn’t a primary auction house and many seafood that were already auctioned at the auction houses at harbors enter Noryangjin Seafood Market as well.
However, the auctions of the Noryangjin Seafood Market often become the standard price and cost of seafood for the whole nation of South Korea.
Because Noryangjin Seafood Market supplies a vast majority of the population of South Korea in the Seoul, Gyeong Gi and Chung Cheong region, the Noryangjin Seafood Market auction prices become a standard cost for the daily prices of seafood.
Related laws in terms of seafood distribution and Sales in South Korea
FISHERY PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT ACT
Article 11 (Areas Where Auction Houses May Establish) An auction house can be set up in areas falling under any of the following:
1. Fishery harbors designated under the Fishing Villages and Fishery Harbors Act;
2. Harbors pursuant to the Harbor Act;
3. Other areas having facilities for unloading or processing catches of marine animals or plants, which shall be designated and publicly announced by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.
Article 18 (Sales on Consignment of Fishery Products at Auction Houses, etc.)
(3) An intermediate wholesaler at the place of origin shall be prohibited from trading fishery products, other than those offered at the market for sale by the establisher of an auction house: Provided, That the same shall not apply to any fishery product for which permission is acquired from the head of a Si/Gun/Gu as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, including fishery products imported, or from distant water unfit for the establisher of an auction house to offered at the market for sale.
(4) No trading between intermediate wholesalers at the place of origin shall be allowed: Provided, That the same shall not apply when permission is acquired from the head of a Si/Gun/Gu as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for cases such as the disposal of surplus fishery products, etc
Daily Seafood auction price update link
https://www.susansijang.co.kr/nsis/miw/ko/info/miw3110
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www.susansijang.co.kr
Quantitative Units of Seafood – Mi(미)
This is possibly the most important weight unit for purchasing seafood at any seafood market in South Korea. The unit Mi(미) in general means “Number of seafood per kg”.
This unit may vary per merchant as some may mean “Number of seafood per 2kg” or even 3 or four so you should ask before purchasing. For example 3 Mi (3미) means three fish equals 1kg so each fish weights about 333 grams in average.
The smaller the Mi(mi) it means the individual seafood or fish is much larger. 10 Mi Abalone means 10 abalones weigh 1kg so each abalone is 100 grams in average. 20 Mi abalone means 20 abalones weigh 1kg so each abalone is about 50 grams in average.
Quantitative weight Units of Seafood – Geun(근)
Geun(근) is a weight unit usually used for meat and for meat, 1 geun(1근) means 600 grams. However, for seafood, geun(근) is a totally different unit and 1 geun(1근)of seafood means 400 grams.
Many Koreans misunderstand the geun system in seafood and often pick up an argument that 1 geun should be 600 grams. However for seafood, 1 geun is 400 grams and not 600 grams.
Quantitative Units of Seafood – Son(손), Moot(뭇)
Son(손) means 2 fish and it is usually used for mackerels. 1 Moot(뭇) is a unit used for seaweed products and means 10 large sheets(usually 10 sheet are about 1kg).
These are minor units and even more minor units are used but rarely would ordinary customers would have to know.
How much seafood per person should be required
Estimating the amount of seafood is important budget wise before visiting the seafood markets in Korea. In general about 200 grams of raw fish(sashimi, hwe) for women and 250 grams of fish for men is adequate enough for one person that gives just enough space to enjoy other dishes.
However this is calculated by the pure weight of the fillet fish, so the yield of the fish should be calculated as well.
Simplified calculation of fish meat yield
In general, calculating the fish meat yield as 30% would be sufficient enough for calculating the amount of fish per person in seafood markets.
The fish flesh yield is much lower than expected because the weight of the bones, intestines and inedible parts should be excluded.
The meat yield also depends on how skilled the person who fillets the fish as well. The Olive flounder(넙치,광어) is the representative species with a high yield of meat that is about 30~50%(Depends on the individual and the person’s filleting skills). Rockfish(우럭) species have a low yield of meat that is about 25~20%.
In general, fish with a bigger head have a lower yield and fish with smaller heads have a higher yield of meat.
The meat yield also depends on how skilled the person who fillets the fish as well. The Olive flounder(넙치,광어) is the representative species with a high yield of meat that is about 30~50%(Depends on the individual and the person’s filleting skills). Rockfish(우럭) species have a low yield of meat that is about 25~20%.
