"It's a Household Staple, but Now There's Trouble" Soaring Gim Prices as Overseas Demand Surges

First Time Surpassing 1,500 Won per 10 Sheets Late Last Month
"Both Exports and Domestic Consumption Outpace Production"
Main Export Destinations: Japan, China, Thailand

As overseas demand for gim (dried seaweed) increases, prices are also soaring.

According to price information compiled by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation as of late last month, the price of medium-grade dried gim was 1,515 won per pack of 10 sheets. This is the first time that the average retail price of gim has surpassed 1,500 won per pack.

The price of gim has surged by about 50% compared to two years ago. At the beginning of 2024, the retail price per sheet of gim was around 100 won, but it now exceeds 150 won.

The Asia Business Daily DB

The price of gim began to rise sharply starting in 2023. That year, the retail price increased by 10% compared to the previous year, surpassing 100 won per sheet, and has continued to reach new record highs since then. As gim, once considered a staple side dish for ordinary households, became more expensive, some even gave it the nickname "black semiconductor."

The background to the sharp increase in gim prices is the rise in overseas demand. Last year, the export volume of gim increased by 13.7% compared to the previous year, reaching 1.0699 billion sheets. The main export destinations were Japan (18.6%), China (17.5%), Thailand (13.6%), the United States (13.3%), Russia (9.8%), and Taiwan (5.1%).

In this regard, Yang Youngjin, Director of Fisheries Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, explained to Yonhap News Agency, "Although the production of gim for 2025 increased by 5 billion sheets compared to 2024, both exports and domestic consumption grew even more," adding, "The continued upward trend in the export price of gim is also partly due to domestic prices being influenced by export prices."

As of December last year, the consumer price index for gim rose by 14.9% compared to the same period the previous year. This outpaced the inflation rates of other popular seafood products such as yellow croaker (10.5%) and mackerel (10.3%).