Global Korean Craze Drives Up Seaweed Prices

The global popularity of Korean culture is making its humblest snacks, like dried seaweed, unaffordable for locals, with prices rising to record highs in recent months, worrying gim-lovers nationwide, as exports hit a record US$1.13bn in 2025, according to the Korea Maritime Institute.

Key Highlights

• Dried seaweed, known locally as gim, is a staple in South Korean cuisine
• Exports of gim have risen steadily in recent years, with a record US$1.13bn in 2025
• The price of gim has increased, with one sheet now costing over 150 won, a record high
• Premium products can cost as much as 350 won per sheet
• The global demand for gim is driven by the growing popularity of Korean culture, including K-pop and K-dramas
• Gim is now being sold in US supermarkets and is becoming a popular snack worldwide
• The South Korean government is taking steps to curb rising costs and stabilize the price of gim
• Companies like Pulmone are planning to establish land-based seaweed R&D centers to increase production
• The price increase is being driven by multiple factors, including inflation, rising labor costs, and a decline in overseas production

Background

The global craze for Korean culture, driven by the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas, has led to an increase in demand for Korean goods, including dried seaweed, known locally as gim. According to the Korea Maritime Institute, South Korea is the world's largest producer and exporter of gim, supplying markets across Asia, North America, and Europe. The Korean government has reported that exports of gim have risen steadily in recent years, with a record US$1.13bn in 2025. This increase in demand has led to a rise in prices, with one sheet of gim now costing over 150 won, a record high. As reported by MSN, the price increase is being driven by multiple factors, including inflation, rising labor costs, and a decline in overseas production.

The growing popularity of gim is not limited to South Korea, as it is now being sold in US supermarkets and is becoming a popular snack worldwide. According to Yahoo Finance, the global demand for gim is driven by the growing popularity of Korean culture, including K-pop and K-dramas. As reported by CNN, the popularity of K-dramas has led to an increase in demand for Korean food, including gim. The Korean government is taking steps to curb rising costs and stabilize the price of gim, including monitoring the situation and planning to establish land-based seaweed R&D centers to increase production.

Analysis

The increase in demand for gim has led to a rise in prices, making it unaffordable for locals. As reported by BBC News, the price of gim has increased, with one sheet now costing over 150 won, a record high. Premium products can cost as much as 350 won per sheet. This price increase is being driven by multiple factors, including inflation, rising labor costs, and a decline in overseas production. The Korean government is taking steps to curb rising costs and stabilize the price of gim, including monitoring the situation and planning to establish land-based seaweed R&D centers to increase production.

The growing popularity of gim is not limited to South Korea, as it is now being sold in US supermarkets and is becoming a popular snack worldwide. According to Yahoo Finance, the global demand for gim is driven by the growing popularity of Korean culture, including K-pop and K-dramas. As reported by CNN, the popularity of K-dramas has led to an increase in demand for Korean food, including gim. The Korean government is taking steps to curb rising costs and stabilize the price of gim, including monitoring the situation and planning to establish land-based seaweed R&D centers to increase production.

What's Next

The Korean government is expected to continue monitoring the situation and taking steps to curb rising costs and stabilize the price of gim. Companies like Pulmone are planning to establish land-based seaweed R&D centers to increase production and meet the growing demand for gim. As reported by MSN, the price increase is being driven by multiple factors, including inflation, rising labor costs, and a decline in overseas production. The Korean government is taking steps to address these factors and stabilize the price of gim.

Related Coverage

• Why a global Korean craze is making seaweed more expensive
• A global craze for Korean culture is making its humblest snacks unaffordable
• K-pop and K-drama fans are driving the global demand for Korean food
• South Korea is the world's largest producer and exporter of dried seaweed
• The Korean government is taking steps to curb rising costs and stabilize the price of gim
• Companies like Pulmone are planning to establish land-based seaweed R&D centers to increase production
• The price increase is being driven by multiple factors, including inflation, rising labor costs, and a decline in overseas production
• The global demand for gim is driven by the growing popularity of Korean culture, including K-pop and K-dramas
• The popularity of K-dramas has led to an increase in demand for Korean food, including gim