Exports of dried seaweed — known as gim in Korean — reached $281 million between January and March, marking a 21.1 percent increase from the same period last year, according to data released Monday by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation.
Export volume rose 7.5 percent to 10,161 tons, an 844.3 percent surge compared with the first quarter of 2015.
The United States remained the largest overseas market, importing $57.9 million worth of Korean seaweed, followed by China ($51.1 million), Japan ($34.4 million), and Thailand ($34.2 million).
China posted the most dramatic growth, with imports jumping 86.5 percent year-over-year. Officials attributed the spike to a surge in popularity of gimbap, a Korean rice roll wrapped in seaweed, boosted by the ongoing Korean Wave — the global popularity of South Korean pop culture, including television dramas and films.
“The Korean Wave has triggered a gimbap boom in China, driving up demand for dried seaweed,” an official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said. “Meanwhile, seaweed snacks continue to gain popularity in the U.S., significantly boosting exports of seasoned products.”
Government officials say the recent export performance has put South Korea on track to reach its $1 billion annual seaweed export goal three years ahead of schedule. Last year’s exports narrowly missed the milestone, totaling $997 million.
The ministry credited the gains to its targeted export strategy, including the launch of the premium “K FISH” brand and the establishment of dedicated Korean seafood sections on major international e-commerce platforms.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
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