Chungnam Seafood Export Value Approaches $100 Million Milestone...

Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, seafood exports from the Chungnam region have reportedly increased. This achievement stands out as a remarkable success amid a nationwide decline in seafood exports, with Chungnam on the verge of reaching its first-ever $100 million in seafood export revenue in the province's history. Provided by Chungnam Province

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province's seafood product export value is on the verge of reaching 100 million dollars this year. This is the first time in the province's history to achieve 100 million dollars in exports.

According to the province on the 24th, as of the end of last month, the seafood product export value in the province was recorded at 93.156 million dollars.

This is an increase of 10.312 million dollars (12.4%) compared to 82.854 million dollars at the end of September, and an increase of 15.556 million dollars (20%) compared to 77.6 million dollars in the same period last year. The province emphasizes the significance of this achievement amid the worsening export conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, nationwide seafood exports were recorded at 1.85314 billion dollars at the end of last month, which is about 9.7% lower than 2.05277 billion dollars in the same period last year.

Looking at the seafood product export value by item in Chungnam (as of the end of last month), other processed seafood products such as seasoned laver recorded 70.962 million dollars, accounting for 76.2% of the region's total seafood exports, playing a key role in driving exports.

In particular, exports of seasoned laver and similar products increased 4.1 times compared to the same period last year.

The list of major export countries for Chungnam includes China (28.214 million dollars), the United States (22.619 million dollars), Taiwan (5.007 million dollars), the Philippines (3.694 million dollars), Japan (3.578 million dollars), Australia (3.261 million dollars), Russia (3.184 million dollars), Hong Kong (2.922 million dollars), Thailand (2.804 million dollars), and Canada (2.459 million dollars).

Among these countries, the Philippines saw an increase of more than 4.5 times compared to the same period last year, Thailand more than 1.7 times, and the United States more than 1.5 times, significantly contributing to the increase in export value.

The province attributes the significant increase in seafood product exports this year to the rising demand for convenient and easy-to-prepare foods such as seasoned laver. With more meals being eaten at home due to COVID-19, seafood products that can be easily enjoyed at home have gained popularity.

Additionally, the province analyzed that support projects initiated locally to develop overseas markets, such as overseas certification, establishment of foreign language websites, and participation in specialized exhibitions, also drove the increase in export value.

A provincial official stated, “While nationwide seafood product exports are declining due to the COVID-19 pandemic, exports within the province continue to increase steadily, supported by the global market dominance of seasoned laver. The province plans to focus its efforts on strengthening policies that help expand the overseas advancement of the local seafood product industry.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.