"This year, sales have already exceeded 400 billion won"... Korea's 'Black Semiconductors' that the world is excited about

As domestic seaweed exports to the United States and China show strong performance, the first quarter's seaweed export value has reached a record high. There is optimism that the government will be able to achieve the 2027 goal of 'annual seaweed exports of 1 billion dollars' this year.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Food Export Information on the 21st, the export value of seaweed in the first quarter of this year was 281 million USD (approximately 402 billion KRW), an increase of 21.1% compared to the same period last year. In terms of export volume, it recorded 10,161 tons, a 7.5% increase from the same period last year. This is a remarkable 844.3% increase compared to the first quarter of 2015, ten years ago.

According to the Fisheries Observation Center of the Korea Maritime & Ocean University Development Institute, the monthly seaweed export growth rates compared to the same period last year are 7.4% in January, 52.7% in February, and 10.9% in March.

The United States (57.9 million dollars) has the highest amount by country, followed by China (51.1 million dollars), Japan (34.4 million dollars), and Thailand (34.2 million dollars). Compared to the same period last year, the country with the largest increase in export amount is China (86.5%). The United States increased by 21.6%, Thailand by 15.9%, and Japan by 7.2%.

Most of the seaweed exported to China is dried seaweed. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, dried seaweed exported to China in the first quarter (2,258 tons) increased by 97.2% compared to the same period last year.

The first quarter kimchi export amount to the United States, the largest export market for seasoned seaweed, increased by 30.6%. The seasoned seaweed exported to the United States totaled 1,367 tons, accounting for 30.2% of the total export volume. The export volume of dried seaweed to the United States is only 140 tons.

An industry insider explained, "In China, due to the influence of Korean dramas and movies, a kimbap boom has led to a sharp increase in demand for dried seaweed, and in the United States, the steady popularity of seaweed snacks has significantly boosted the export of seasoned seaweed."

There is a forecast that the Korea Maritime and Fisheries Ministry's goal of achieving an annual seaweed export value of 1 billion dollars by 2027 can be brought forward and achieved this year. Last year's seaweed export amount was 997 million dollars.

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Our country's ginseng is being exported worldwide~

They say it looks like they'll comfortably achieve an annual export of 1 billion dollars, which is really amazing ^^