Seafood Prices take a dive in Wenzhou

Published: Fall 2023

Author: Fang Beier

The decision by Japan to release treated nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi plant into the Pacific Ocean is creating economic ripples in Wenzhou, notably impacting seafood prices in this coastal culinary hotspot.

Seafood supermarket owners, who usually rely on steady demand for seafood, have witnessed significant price drops. "Since Japan's nuclear wastewater was discharged into the sea, the price of seafood has dropped by about 30%. Among them, the prices of small yellow croaker and salmon have been the most affected. The price of salmon has dropped from 80 yuan per catty to 50 yuan per pound. The price of large yellow croaker has dropped by thousands of yuan," said Wang Ling, an owner of a well-known seafood supermarket in Ouhai.

Wang Ling is handling the fish for a customer who bought a whole piece of salmon because of its low price, Monday, Nov. 25, 2023. [Photo/Feng Beier]

The economic impact extends beyond the seafood supermarket to local restaurants. Lin Jing, the owner of a seafood restaurant in Lucheng, said, "A week before Japan discharged nuclear wastewater, the store's customer flow reached its peak, with nearly 180 orders a day, but then dropped sharply. The customer flow is slightly more now, about 80 orders a day."

Due to the impact of Japan's nuclear wastewater, Lin Jing launched freshwater fish dishes as a restaurant promotion,Monday, Nov. 25, 2023. [Photo/Feng Beier]

Local authorities are stepping up efforts to monitor and ensure the safety of seafood, aiming to stabilize the market and protect consumers. However, the lingering uncertainty over the long-term environmental and health impacts of the wastewater discharge continues to exert pressure on the seafood industry in Wenzhou.

As the situation evolves, the repercussions on Wenzhou's seafood market, particularly in terms of pricing, are being closely watched by restaurateurs, fishermen, and consumers, all of whom are deeply affected by these unfolding events.