The South Korean government has announced a plan to improve the quality of gim, or dried laver, and increase its exports to reach a global sale of $1 billion by 2027. Gim is the top export item among fisheries products in South Korea, though it faces stiff competition from countries such as China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. South Korean dried seaweed accounts for around 70% of the global gim market, and exports last year totaled $650 million.
The government will conduct research and development projects to create new gim seeds that can withstand rising water temperatures and produce various high-quality products. Additionally, the government will strive to diversify export markets and launch programs to familiarize more people with the Korean name of gim. To ensure stable prices and smooth distribution, the government seeks to introduce an exchange market specifically for gim items.
Oceans Minister Cho Seung-hwan commented, “This is our first-ever basic plan to nurture the industry into a high value-added one. We will do our utmost to increase gim exports to $1 billion by 2027 and to globally promote K-gim.”
Gim is usually roasted with sesame oil and salt, and served as a side dish in Korean cuisine. It is also used as a wrapping skin for gimbap. This undated file photo, provided by the oceans ministry, shows an event promoting seasoned gim at a market in the United States.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
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