Korean seaweed exports to Japan are projected to hit a record 105 billion won this year, a 61.5% increase from the previous year. This is due to increased demand for Korean seaweed as Japan's seaweed farming was lacking last winter, and the quality improvement efforts by the Korean seaweed industry. The export contract included 47.5 billion won for dried seaweed, up 109.3% from last year, and 56.5 billion won for seasoned seaweed and products, up 35.9% and 14.4% respectively. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in the increase in demand as people cooked more at home in Japan.