South Korea: Seafood Market Brief Update
Korean imports of seafood in 2017 totaled $4.98 billion, up 10.7 percent from 2016 due to rising prices and increased imports of white fish and shrimp. Imports of American seafood increased by 2.3 percent from $227 million. The United States remained the fifth largest exporter with a market share of 4.7 percent. U.S. seafood is generally considered high quality and safe, but less price competitive when competing with other origins. By volume, frozen Alaska Pollack Surimi, Flatfish, Alaska Pollack Fish, Cod, Other Fish Roe & Milt, Atka Mackerel, Alaska Pollack Roe & Milt, Ray, Hagfish and Monkfish were the major seafood imported from the United States. By value, frozen Alaska Pollack Surimi, live Lobsters, Flatfish, Cod, live Hagfish, Alaska Pollack Roe & Milt, Monkfish, Atka Mackerel, Other Fish Roe & Milt and Alaska Pollack Fish were the top ten imported species.