Stabilizing Seaweed Prices and Boosting Exports... Government Launches K-Gim Supply Chain Innovation

Goal of $1.8 Billion in Seaweed Exports by 2030

Expansion of Aquaculture Areas and Introduction of Government Stockpiling

AI-Based Grading System, International Exchange Under Review... Industry Transformation Through Processing Automation

The government has announced plans to overhaul the entire supply chain of the Korean dried seaweed (gim) industry—from production to distribution, processing, and export—in order to address the recurring volatility in gim prices seen in recent years and to strengthen its presence in the global market. The strategy aims to stabilize prices by expanding aquaculture areas and introducing a government stockpiling system, while also boosting the competitiveness of the gim industry through AI-powered quality control and the proliferation of smart factories.

On June 4, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries presented its “Gim Export Supply Chain Innovation Plan” at a meeting of the “Task Force on Special Management of Essential Goods Prices,” chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon Cheol. The plan targets $1.8 billion in gim exports by 2030 and seeks to minimize domestic price instability.

Gim is a flagship seafood product, having posted a record-high export value of $1.13 billion last year. While global demand continues to grow steadily, driven by the Korean Wave and the popularity of health foods, domestic production has remained at an annual average of 1.5 billion sheets, leading to repeated supply and demand instability. The government projects that demand for dried gim will reach 2.1 billion sheets by 2030.

To ensure stable production volumes, the government will promote expansion of gim aquaculture areas. In addition, each September, an industry council involving both government and industry stakeholders will formulate data-driven supply and demand management plans.

Recognizing the limitations of coastal aquaculture expansion, the government is also considering increasing offshore farming in waters deeper than 35 meters and establishing land-based aquaculture systems. Further, the development of heat-resistant gim varieties is planned to enhance climate change resilience.

To reduce price volatility, a contract farming system for gim will be introduced. This system will require producers and processors to prearrange shipment timing, quantities, and prices, thereby stabilizing raw gim supply and supporting producers’ incomes.

The storage and stockpiling system will also be significantly reinforced. By 2028, the government plans to expand dried gim storage facilities to enable storage of about 30% of annual production. The consumer-oriented distribution center (FDC) in Naju, Jeollanam-do will be expanded, and new logistics facilities will be established in Shinan, Jeollanam-do and the central region.

In particular, the government will move to include dried gim as a target for government stockpiling. The plan is to purchase gim during peak production periods and release it when demand rises, thereby alleviating sharp price fluctuations. Financial support through loans will also be provided to facilitate private sector purchasing.

In the areas of distribution and processing, AI technology will be introduced across the board. The government will implement an AI-based dried gim grading system to enable price differentiation based on quality, and eventually plans to establish a (tentatively named) “International Dried Gim Exchange” to enhance transaction transparency.

Additionally, the automation and digitalization of the gim processing sector will be advanced through the gradual expansion of smart factories. In the long term, the government will pursue full process automation using physical AI technology and is considering creating a (tentatively named) “K-Gim Smart Processing Hub Center” integrating R&D and industrial infrastructure.

The government also plans to establish specialized institutions for the gim industry and expand designated zones to foster its development. Furthermore, it aims to increase the export ratio of high value-added seasoned gim products to 60%, and to develop “GIM”—the official English name for gim—as a global brand to enhance competitiveness in world markets.

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jongwoo stated, “Through the Gim Export Supply Chain Innovation Plan, we will pursue the establishment of a stable supply chain and the advancement of the industry. We will stabilize prices so that people can consume gim without burden, and further solidify the status of Korean gim in the global market.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.