In the first quarter of this year, our seaweed (K-seaweed) exports recorded an all-time high. This is believed to be due to strong exports to the United States and China.
According to the Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing Corporation (aT) export information, the seaweed export amount in the first quarter of this year is $281 million (approximately 4020 Hanwha). This figure represents a 21.1% increase compared to the same period last year ($232 million). The export volume of seaweed in the first quarter of this year also increased by 7.5% to 11,610 tons (t) compared to 9,456 t in the same period last year. This is an increase of 844.3% compared to the first quarter of 2015 (1,076 t).
In terms of seaweed export amounts by country for the first quarter, the United States was the highest at $57.9 million. Following the U.S., China recorded $51.1 million, while Japan ($34.4 million) and Thailand ($34.2 million) followed.
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%, respectively.
Most of the seaweed exported to China is dried seaweed. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the dried seaweed exported to China (2,258 t) increased by 97.2% compared to the same period last year. This accounts for 40.3% of the total export volume of dried seaweed. The export amount was $46.29 million, which is an increase of 139.7%.
In the first quarter, seaweed exports to the United States, the largest exporter of seasoned seaweed, increased by 30.6%. The amount of seasoned seaweed exported to the U.S. was 1,367 t, accounting for 30.2% of the total export volume of seasoned seaweed. The export volume of dried seaweed to the U.S. was only 140 t.
According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, due to the influence of Korean dramas and films, gimbap has become popular in China, leading to a surge in demand for dried seaweed. In contrast, it is analyzed that seaweed snacks are gaining popularity in the United States. Notably, there are projections that the target of 'exporting $1 billion worth of seaweed' set by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries by 2027 could be achieved ahead of schedule this year. Last year's seaweed export amount was $997 million. A Ministry official noted, "Although the value increased significantly compared to last year's seaweed export volume, it is expected that this year both the volume and value will increase, making $1 billion in exports possible."
Meanwhile, the price of raw materials, namely cultivated seaweed, has remained low. This is due to improvements in this year's harvest, newly permitted cultivation sites, and the increase in illegal seaweed cultivation. According to the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) Fisheries Industry Observation Center, the price of cultivated seaweed was 763 won per kilogram in January, which is a 52.4% decrease compared to the same period last year. In February (1,439 won) and March (1,483 won), it also remained 17.5% and 42% lower than the same periods last year, respectively.