The government will work to open overseas markets focusing on seafood with high domestic production, such as abalone. Although seafood exports are rising, it sees the concentration in certain items, such as gim (dried seaweed), as a source of concern.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries held an industry meeting on the 5th, chaired by Vice Minister Nam Jae-heon, to boost seafood exports. The meeting was attended by industry representatives by item—gim, oysters, olive flounder, abalone, and fish cakes—as well as related organizations such as the Deep Sea Fisheries Association.
Industry officials raised difficulties faced on the ground, including burdens such as logistics costs stemming from the prolonged situation in the Middle East and tariff and non-tariff barriers in major countries.
Vice Minister Nam said, "Thanks to the hard work of the industry and related organizations, seafood exports have continued to grow despite difficult conditions," but added, "The current export environment is not entirely optimistic. There are many unpredictable factors, such as major countries' tariff and exchange rate issues."
He added, "We will expand item-specific support and manage external risks," and "we will build an export ecosystem that manages domestic supply-demand and price stability together."