The flower crab war involving the three major supermarkets (Emart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus) is entering its second round after the end of the closed season. In the first round, the focus was on attracting consumers with low prices, but recently the competition has shifted to freshness. The competitive points between Emart and Lotte Mart are slightly different.
According to industry sources on the 7th, Lotte Mart has switched to selling 100% sawdust flower crabs. The company is focusing on educating customers about the differences between sawdust flower crabs and frozen flower crabs. They believe that consumers need to recognize this difference so that they do not purchase flower crabs solely based on price but compare freshness as well. This is a thought stemming from the notion that the strength of fresh products translates into offline supermarket competitiveness.
Both sawdust flower crabs and frozen flower crabs are harvested this fall. However, the fishing methods and distribution processes differ. Sawdust flower crabs are caught using traps and dip nets, with the nets being pulled up 1 to 2 times a day to select fresh individuals.
On the other hand, frozen flower crabs are kept on ice to maintain freshness and mainly use a method called anchor netting (a technique that involves driving bamboo into the sea floor and setting up nets to catch flower crabs swept away by currents). Because the nets are retrieved once every 2 to 3 days, the vitality of the flower crabs caught this way is somewhat weaker compared to those caught using traps or dip nets.
A representative from the Fisheries Cooperative said, "Sawdust flower crabs are selected to contain individuals with high vitality, making the yield lower compared to frozen flower crabs, which results in relatively higher prices." He also noted, "In reality, the price of sawdust flower crabs at the source is about 15% higher than that of frozen flower crabs."
Lotte Mart has even sent its CEO, Kang Sung-hyun, to focus on the distribution of sawdust flower crabs. He reportedly made several visits to key crab-producing regions like Gyeokpo and Sinjindo for smooth distribution. A Lotte Mart representative stated, "To maintain freshness, we shortened distribution time and reduced expenses by selecting and packaging the crabs right at the source for direct shipping," adding, "This year, we have contracted with about 40 fishing vessels, and we plan to be responsible for all the catch from these vessels."
Meanwhile, Emart is selling both sawdust flower crabs and frozen flower crabs. This is aimed at expanding consumer choices. Consumers who believe that crabs must be alive to be fresh mostly purchase sawdust flower crabs, but those who find it cumbersome to handle sawdust or prefer to see the crabs before buying tend to choose live crabs packaged on ice, according to Emart's analysis.
A representative from Emart stated, "Sawdust flower crabs are preferred mainly in Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces," adding, "There are differences in preference by region and consumer, so we are offering both products." The prices of sawdust and frozen flower crabs are the same. As of the 5th, Emart sells them at 768 won per 100 grams, making sawdust flower crabs the more advantageous purchase.
Professor Ham Sun-ok from Yonsei University's Department of Food and Nutrition noted, "In terms of freshness, alive sawdust flower crabs are better in front of consumers, and it is true that they hold value as ingredients." However, she added, "Freshness does not necessarily correlate to flavor. It will be interesting to see how consumer choices play out based on the different marketing strategies of the two supermarkets."