Seaweed (gim) exports this year on Nov. 10 reached a record-high USD 700.89 million. (iclickart) *[Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of the above photo is strictly prohibited under copyright laws and regulations.]

By Kim Seon Ah

Exports of seaweed (gim) this year have broken the USD 700 million mark for the first time.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Nov. 13 said such shipments recorded USD 700.89 million as of Nov. 10, breaking the previous mark of USD 690 million two years ago.

The figure broke USD 100 million for the first time in 2010 with USD 110 million. It saw brisk growth from USD 300 million in 2015 to USD 510 million in 2017 and USD 690 million in 2021 before dropping to USD 650 million last year.

The number of countries importing Korean seaweed reached 120, nearly doubled the 64 in 2010.

In the item's top market of the U.S., export amount rose 8.3% from that of last year to USD 143 million. The scope of export destinations also widened to Southeast Asia and Europe.

The ministry said, "In the past, people used to consume seaweed mostly as a side dish with rice, but the global seaweed market is surging given seaweed's rising popularity abroad as a health food with low calories."

The government eyes seaweed exports worth USD 1 billion by 2027.

sofiakim218@korea.kr