"Can't Trust Chinese Gim"... K-Gim Takes Australia by Storm with Its Savory Flavor and Crispy Texture

Australians are turning to gim as a snack
Winning over local consumers with its thin, crispy texture

Korean gim is gaining popularity in Australia. As demand grows for it as a healthy snack, beyond its use as an ingredient in gimbap and sushi, major local retailers are expanding sales. Last year, Australian imports of Korean edible seaweed rose by more than 12%, outpacing growth in the overall market.

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According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) on November 1, Australian imports of Korean edible seaweed and algae totaled US$6.74 million last year, up 12.1% from US$6.014 million the previous year.

During the same period, Australia's total imports of these products rose 5.2%, from US$28.457 million to US$29.943 million. In other words, the growth rate for imports from Korea was more than twice that of the overall market.

Korea ranked second in Australia's edible seaweed import market, with a 22.5% share. China ranked first, with imports worth US$18.778 million, or 62.7% of the market. Japan came in third, with US$1.272 million, or 4.3%. These figures include not only seasoned gim but also all edible seaweed and other algae.

Shifts in local consumption habits are cited as a factor behind the popularity of Korean gim. In the past, Asian consumers mainly bought it as an ingredient, but analysts say it has recently attracted local consumers as a snack as well.

Indeed, major Australian supermarkets sell seasoned gim in their snack and healthy-snack categories. Local retailer Coles displays it in the lunchbox snack section, while Aldi sells its private-label Korean Seaweed Snack alongside other snacks.

The range of products is also expanding. Seasoned gim is sold in small 4-to-5-gram packs or in bundles of six to eight packs. Alongside basic salted varieties, brands offer a range of flavors, including teriyaki and wasabi. Products marketed as organic, vegan, or gluten-free are also available.

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Local retail prices show that an eight-pack of Obap roasted seasoned gim, with each pack weighing 5 grams, costs A$5.45 (about KRW 5,100). Aldi's Korean Seaweed Snack costs A$3.99 (about KRW 3,700) for a six-pack of 5-gram servings, while a six-pack of Ceres Organics gim, also in 5-gram servings, costs A$10.50 (about KRW 9,800).

Another notable point is that Korean gim is sold under local brands. Some products, including Obap, Honest Sea, and Ceres Organics, carry labels indicating that they are made in Korea. Analysts say Korean manufacturers also have opportunities to supply products in partnership with local brands through original equipment manufacturing (OEM) or original design manufacturing (ODM).

The competitive landscape also varies by country of origin. Chinese products are competitive in the market for whole gim sheets used for gimbap and low-cost food ingredients, while Japanese brands stand out for premium products and their specialist sushi image. Korean products emphasize their seasoned-gim production expertise, thin and crispy texture, and convenient individual packaging.

Local food importers say many consumers prefer Korean gim amid concerns about the quality of Chinese gim products. As a result, imports of Korean gim are expected to continue growing for the time being.

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