Dried seaweed merchandise are displayed on cabinets at a grocery store in Seoul, Dec. 14, 2025. Yonhap
Korea’s exports of seafood merchandise hit an all-time excessive of $3.33 billion final 12 months, pushed by rising abroad demand for dried seaweed items, authorities information confirmed Thursday.
The determine marked a 9.7 p.c improve from $3.03 billion in exports in 2024, in line with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
Exports of dried seaweed, referred to as “gim” in Korean, jumped 13.7 p.c on-year to a document $1.13 billion due to robust demand from abroad markets.
Outbound shipments of mackerel spiked 128.8 p.c to $200 million, whereas exports of squid surged 48.7 p.c to $110 million.
By vacation spot, exports to the U.S. rose 9 p.c on-year to $520 million in 2025, led by the recognition of seasoned gim merchandise, tuna and oysters, regardless of Washington’s tariff scheme.
Exports to Japan added 3.1 p.c to $680 million, whereas shipments to China elevated 8 p.c to $620 million.
“Final 12 months’s export efficiency, achieved amid uncertainties within the world commerce setting, demonstrates the competitiveness of our seafood merchandise,” performing Oceans Minister Kim Sung-bum mentioned in a press launch.
