Gyeonggi Province Sets Record for Seaweed Production Value...87.2% Increase from Previous Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gapdong] Gyeonggi Province's seaweed farming production value this year has been tallied at 40.89 billion won, marking a record high.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 29th, based on its own compilation of this year's production figures, the 2024 seaweed production volume was 21,846 tons and the production value was 40.89 billion won. While this year's production volume decreased approximately 3% compared to last year's 22,513 tons, the production value surged 87.2% (1.9 billion won) from last year's 21.84 billion won to the highest amount since seaweed farming began in Gyeonggi Province.

The province analyzed that the significant increase in production value was due to rising prices amid increased export demand following Japan's poor seaweed harvest, combined with nationwide poor seaweed crop performance.

In fact, this year's nationwide production value increased 77% year-over-year, and South Jeolla Province, which ranks first nationally, saw a 78% increase in production value. Average fishing household income in the province also rose 87.2% (268 million won) from 308 million won last year to 576 million won.

The province invests over 600 million won annually in business expenses to support seaweed farms in Hwaseong and Ansan cities for safe and stable seaweed production, while continuously conducting strong crackdowns and comprehensive improvements on unauthorized use of harmful chemicals and illegal facilities.

The Gyeonggi Marine and Fisheries Resources Research Institute is currently pursuing an experimental research project for developing seaweed seeds that are disease-resistant and show favorable growth despite rising sea temperatures, as seaweed productivity has declined nationwide with recent increases in sea temperature. The research focuses on seed varieties suited to Gyeonggi waters' current environment.

Kim Bong-hyun, director of the province's Marine and Fisheries Division, stated, "While fishermen's incomes increased significantly due to this year's rise in raw seaweed transaction prices, seaweed production volume is declining due to marine environmental changes from rising sea temperatures, making it impossible to guarantee sustained income stability. We will do our utmost to discover new projects including seed development to respond to climate change and advance sustainable seaweed farming industry development."