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# Merchantable Herrings

## Definition

Herrings that have been properly processed, repacked, and prepared for
commercial sale, typically requiring additional salting and packaging beyond
the initial sea-curing process.

## Source Chapter

Book IV, Chapter 5

## Context

Smith contrasts merchantable herrings with sea-sticks to demonstrate how
bounties can create artificial price structures in the fishing industry,
making government-subsidized products appear more expensive than they
naturally would be.

## Economic Domain

Production

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