Korea Reaches $1 Billion in Seaweed Exports as Move Begins to Set Global Standards
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
South Korea’s seaweed (gim) industry hit a record $1.015 billion in exports through Nov. 20, driven by growing demand in North America and Europe and improved K-GIM quality. To ease trade barriers caused by differing regional rules, Korea won approval at the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting to begin converting the existing Asia regional standard for three seaweed product types (dried gim, roasted gim, seasoned gim) into a global Codex standard. The global standardization process is expected to raise Korea’s seaweed brand value, reduce technical trade barriers, stabilize industry structure, support new market development, and produce economic gains similar to past Codex successes with kimchi and gochujang. The Fisheries Ministry will continue working with research institutes to complete the conversion and pursue additional international standards for other Korean seafood products.
