Jeollanam-do's Agricultural and Marine Product Exports Surpass $400 Million in First Half of the Year

5.8% Increase Year-on-Year
Growth in Exports to the US and Other Markets

Jeollanam-do announced on August 6, 2025, that its agricultural and marine products exports for the first half of this year reached $418.47 million, an increase of 5.8% compared to the same period last year.

Exports of key items such as gim (dried seaweed), rice, duck down, abalone, seaweed, and beverages have continued steadily, while expansion into the US, China, and New Southern markets has driven growth.

By item, gim recorded $213.71 million, up 12.1%, accounting for more than half (51.1%) of total agricultural and marine product exports. Rice exports reached $27.95 million, duck down $23.72 million, abalone $17.97 million, seaweed $14.35 million, and beverages $13.77 million.

By country, the United States (up 22.6%) and China (up 8.8%) showed growth. In the US, exports of gim (up 21.3%) as well as jang (fermented sauces) and kimchi increased. In China, gim (up 76.6%) and duck down (up 24.4%) performed well. In Taiwan, pear exports surged by 247.4%.

The New Southern markets were also active. In Vietnam (up 24.7%), Thailand (up 42.4%), and Indonesia (up 88.4%), exports of gim, duck down, and alcoholic beverages increased significantly. In particular, exports of duck down to Indonesia rose by 83.3%, while gim exports to the Philippines soared by 313.4%.

By city and county, Hwasun-gun (up 102.8%), Jindo-gun (up 106.4%), and Hampyeong-gun (up 135.9%) showed remarkable growth. Hwasun-gun benefited from processed food exports, while Jindo-gun saw significant expansion in marine product exports.

Shin Hyungon, Director of International Cooperation for Jeollanam-do, stated, "We will strengthen our damage monitoring system to minimize the impact on export companies from Korea-US mutual tariffs and respond quickly to the changing trade environment. We will also enhance collaboration with export-related organizations," adding, "We will diversify export markets with a focus on high value-added products and turn crises into opportunities to expand our share in the global market."

Jeollanam-do is actively supporting export companies by providing consulting with customs and FTA experts, resolving issues related to origin management and customs clearance, and promoting export diversification, in order to strengthen their ability to respond to US tariff risks.