Dried seaweed are displayed at a market in Seoul, in this undated photo. Yonhap

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SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Exports of dried seaweed hit a new record, driven by the surging popularity of South Korean food and culture overseas, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on Tuesday.

Dried sheets of seaweed, or gim, which are hugely popular here as a side dish, are rapidly gaining traction overseas and occupying supermarket shelves.

According to the ministry, outbound shipments of dried seaweed reached US$850 million during the first 10 months of this year, surpassing the previous record high of $790 million set in 2023.

The country's exports, which account for more than 70 percent of the global market, have increased nearly sevenfold from $110 million in 2010 to $790 million last year.

If this trend continues, cumulative exports for this year are expected to reach a record $1 billion.

The number of export destinations has also diversified, rising from 64 countries to 122 countries over the same period. The U.S. and Japan remain the top destinations, accounting for nearly half of the total exports.

"We will continue to promote the heathy benefits of South Korean-made dried seaweed to reach more customers worldwide. At the same time, we will increase support for production to ensure a stable domestic supply," a ministry official said in a statement.
AJP

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