Goheung Fresh Gim, High Prices Formed Amid Good Crop Conditions

91,352 Ton Sales Volume with a 15 Billion KRW Increase Compared to the Previous Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that the 2022 Goheung region fresh Gim (seaweed) has been recognized for its best quality in taste and aroma, resulting in a bountiful harvest and higher prices compared to last year.

This year, Goheung Gim was cultivated over an area of 10,293 hectares with a total of 102,930 bundles, and sales of fresh Gim began at the Guam Wholesale Market in Dohwa-myeon on November 20, where high prices were established from the start.

Last year, the price of fresh Gim averaged 97,000 KRW per sack (120 kg), while this year the price has been set at an average of 103,000 KRW. As of February 10, the sales volume reached 91,352 tons, which is 72% of the production plan, with sales amounting to 77.8 billion KRW, an increase of 15 billion KRW compared to the previous year.

Although Gim production was sluggish early last year due to high water temperatures, fortunately, the sea conditions have remained favorable so far this year, and large-scale yellowing damage that occurred in some areas of the West Sea has not happened, creating a sense of relief among Gim aquaculture fishermen.

Goheung-gun secured a project budget of 5.683 billion KRW for six projects, including support for frozen Gim seed nets, to actively support the stable income improvement of Gim aquaculture fishermen who account for 80% of the nationwide production of Gim used for gimbap.

A county official stated, “Considering the sea conditions and crop status, fresh Gim harvesting is expected to continue until mid-April, and production volume and income are projected to exceed 100 billion KRW, surpassing last year’s 86.4 billion KRW without difficulty.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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