The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on the 15th that last year's seafood product exports totaled $3.33 billion (about 4.8941 trillion won, preliminary), the highest on record. That was up 9.7% from a year earlier.
The No. 1 seafood export item is gim (dried seaweed). Gim set a record high last year at $1.13 billion, up 13.7% from the previous year. The ministry said the increase stemmed from developing products in various forms that suit overseas consumers' tastes and from increased overseas demand driven by the popularity of Korean culture.
Next were tuna ($540 million), mackerel ($200 million), and squid ($110 million). However, tuna exports fell 7.7% from a year earlier. Mackerel and squid rose 128.8% and 48.7%, respectively.
By country, Japan was the largest at $680 million, up 3.1% from a year earlier. It was followed by China ($620 million), the United States ($520 million), and Thailand ($260 million).
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) plans to support corporations this year with policy funds and export vouchers to keep seafood exports growing. As part of new initiatives, the ministry will strengthen on-the-ground promotion and marketing by operating a gim promotion center in airport duty-free shops in connection with international sports events and by marketing tied to Korean stars. In particular, it will focus on the Sea-ports project, which will run seafood-related promotional booths at sporting events and carry out offline promotions such as promotional video ads.
Acting Minister Kim Sung-beom of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) said, "Last year's seafood export performance is a result that shows the competitiveness of our seafood products continues to strengthen," adding, "We will continue to actively support sustained growth."