SEOUL, Jan 15 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports of seafood products hit an all-time high of US$3.33 billion last year, driven by rising overseas demand for dried seaweed goods, government data showed Thursday, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The figure marked a 9.7 per cent increase from US$3.03 billion in exports in 2024, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
Exports of dried seaweed, called "gim" in Korean, jumped 13.7 per cent on-year to a record US$1.13 billion thanks to strong demand from overseas markets.
Outbound shipments of mackerel spiked 128.8 per cent to US$200 million, while exports of squid surged 48.7 per cent to US$110 million.
By destination, exports to the United States rose nine per cent on-year to US$520 million in 2025, led by the popularity of seasoned gim products, tuna and oysters, despite Washington's tariff scheme.
Exports to Japan added 3.1 per cent to US$680 million, while shipments to China increased eight per cent to US$620 million.
“Last year's export performance, achieved amid uncertainties in the global trade environment, demonstrates the competitiveness of our seafood products,” acting Oceans Minister Kim Sung Bum said in a press release.
-- BERNAMA-YONHAP
