This year, South Korea's seaweed exports are expected to exceed 1.1 billion U.S. dollars for the first time.

Published Dec 23, 2025

Tridge summary

The White House's status report issued in November listed seasoned seaweed as the only seafood product exempted from tariffs, with the previous 15% tariff rate directly reduced to zero. The exemption policy, calculated based on the customs clearance date, took effect on November 13, but dried seaweed and other seafood products still need to pay a 15% reciprocal tariff. Data shows that seasoned seaweed accounts for over 90% of South Korea's seaweed exports to the United States, so the impact of the tariff is minimal. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that it will negotiate with the U.S. side to strive for tariff-free treatment for dried seaweed and tuna slices as well. In the first eleven months of this year, South Korea's total global seaweed exports amounted to $1.04 billion, an increase of 13.3% compared to the same period last year. The export amount for November alone, compared to the same month last year, increased by 25.2% to $24.5 million, a growth rate higher than the cumulative growth rate for the period from January to November. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries predicts that the total annual export amount will exceed $1.1 billion for the first time in 2025.

Original content

The White House's status statement issued in November listed seasoned seaweed as the only seafood product exempt from tariffs, with the previous 15% tariff rate directly reduced to zero. This exemption policy, calculated by the customs clearance date, took effect on November 13, but dried seaweed and other seafood products still need to pay a 15% reciprocal tariff. Data shows that seasoned seaweed accounts for more than 90% of South Korea's seaweed exports to the U.S., so the tariff impact is minimal. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that it will negotiate with the U.S. side to strive for tariff-free treatment for dried seaweed and tuna flakes as well. In the first 11 months of this year, South Korea's total global seaweed exports amounted to $1.04 billion, a 13.3% increase from the same period last year. In ...
Source: Foodmate

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