[2026 New Year Special] Preconditions for online transactions of aquatic products in producer wholesale markets and consumer wholesale markets

Transitioning the distribution of aquatic products online hinges on standardization, digitalization, and cold chain Standardization is a prerequisite for online transactions Establishing digital history information is urgent Trust cannot be secured without a cold chain Concurrent implementation of education and institutional adjustments is necessary As of 2024, South Korea operates 215 production area wholesale markets and 19 consumer area aquatic product wholesale markets nationwide. Of the 309 million tons produced in South Korea's near-sea waters, 46.4%, or 143.3 million tons, and 63.4% of the 7.8881 trillion won in production value, or 4.9998 trillion won, are traded through production area wholesale markets, while 294,000 tons, worth 1.5722 trillion won, are traded through consumer area wholesale markets. Production area wholesale markets are the starting point of the distribution of aquatic products in South Korea's near-sea waters and the place where aquatic product prices ...