Seasoned laver, a type of edible seaweed, has emerged as South Korea’s number one export item among marine products thanks to strong overseas demand.
 
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on Thursday that South Korea’s exports of seasoned laver amounted to 269 million U.S. dollars in the first half of this year, up more than 40 percent compared to the same period last year.
 
Exports of seasoned laver outdid exports of fresh tuna, becoming the number one export item among marine products for the first time.
 
The ministry predicted that exports of seasoned laver will reach 500 million dollars this year considering rising demand from Russia and Vietnam and as China and Japan have seen poor harvests of the seaweed.