The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will expand the seaweed production area by 1% (626 hectares) next year.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 2nd that it will expand seaweed farms in the Incheon and Gyeonggi regions to secure stable production areas and respond to the increasing demand for seaweed.
Seaweed is the number one item in seafood exports, surpassing 1 trillion won in export value for two consecutive years, showing a steep increase in exports.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is implementing various policies to manage seaweed supply and demand stably and support the sustainable growth of the seaweed industry. In October last year, it announced the 'Measures to Strengthen Competitiveness in the Seaweed Industry' and developed a new farming area of 2,700 hectares this year. Due to the expansion of the production base and favorable weather conditions, this year's final seaweed production reached 206.9 million 'sok', an increase of 36.1% compared to the previous year.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will promote measures to mitigate the effects of high water temperatures and climate change this year and enhance local income.
First, the ministry will further expand seaweed farms, focusing on border areas and islands. A total of 626 hectares of new farms will be developed in Incheon and Gyeonggi, increasing the overall area of seaweed farms by about 1%.
The government, through the supplementary budget proposal, has reflected 6 billion won for replacing dried seaweed processing facilities and has decided to expand processing capacity. Related agencies will jointly strengthen regulations against illegal farming.
The government also plans to prevent diseases such as yellowing and increase seaweed productivity by relocating farms to suitable areas and expanding the distribution of high-quality seeds and active agents.
Minister Kang Do-hyung said, "For the seaweed industry to develop stably, systematic supply and demand management considering local conditions and climate change is necessary," adding, "We will continue to actively support efforts to relieve the public's price burden and sustain the growth of the seaweed industry."