Next year's fish production will decline somewhat, but overall seafood output is expected to stay at this year's level thanks to an increase in seaweed production.
The Korea Maritime Fisheries Cooperative Federation's Fisheries Economics Institute (Suhyup) released its "2026 Fisheries Economy Outlook" on the 26th, projecting that total seafood production next year will be 3.84 million tons (t), maintaining this year's level.
Although production of key species and farmed fish plunged last year due to climate headwinds such as high water temperatures, a partial recovery emerged this year, and Suhyup analyzed that overall seafood production will hold this year's pace next year as seaweed output increases. However, it added that the impact of climate change is hard to predict, so actual seafood production could vary greatly depending on how high water temperatures develop starting in May.
Domestic seafood consumption next year is forecast at 4.03 million tons, down from this year due to weak seafood consumption among younger people and price burdens compared with meat. Seafood consumption peaked at 5.64 million tons in 2019 and has been on a declining trend.
Seafood exports are projected at around $3.3 billion, exceeding this year's estimate of $3.216 billion, driven by the spread of K-food and strong exports of gim (dried seaweed).
Fishing household income is expected to reach 60.54 million won, up 1.9% from this year, helped by increased exports and support for discovering non-fishing income sources.
Noh Dong-jin, head of the Korea Maritime Fisheries Cooperative Federation, said, "Compared with the worst conditions in 2024, the management environment next year is expected to improve somewhat with stabilized oil prices and a partial recovery in fishing conditions," but added, "Some sectors still face the limits of fishing operations." Noh added, "Sustained attention and policy support are needed for a broad recovery of the fisheries industry."