Korea’s Dried Seaweed Prices Hit a Record High

Intermediate | February 10, 2026

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A Small Snack With a Big Price Tag

If you’ve ever eaten gim (Korean dried seaweed), you know it’s usually a cheap, everyday side dish—or a quick snack you can crush in one minute while standing in the kitchen. But in early 2026, gim prices surge stories started popping up, and this everyday snack suddenly felt like a “premium product.” In Korea, prices hit a record high, and shoppers noticed it fast.

The Record Number Everyone’s Talking About

According to Korea’s Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation price data, the average retail price for mid‑grade dried gim reached 1,515 won per 10 sheets in late January. That’s the first time the late‑January average topped 1,500 won, and it works out to over 150 won per sheet. The same report noted that gim was around 100 won per sheet in early 2024—so the price is up nearly 50% in two years. (Korea JoongAng Daily)

Why Gim Prices Surge

The simple answer: global demand is booming. Korea exported 107 million bundles of gim in 2025, up 13.7% from the year before (one bundle = 100 sheets). When exports rise quickly, local supply can tighten, and prices at home often climb. Major destinations by volume included Japan (18.6%), China (17.5%), Thailand (13.6%), the United States (13.3%), Russia (9.8%), and Taiwan (5.1%). (Korea JoongAng Daily)

“Gimflation” Spreads Into the Seafood Aisle

This isn’t just a seaweed story—it’s also an inflation story. The consumer price index for gim rose 14.9% year‑on‑year in December 2025, which was a bigger jump than other seafood items mentioned in the same report (like yellow croaker and mackerel). Overall seafood inflation reached 5.9% in 2025, nearly triple the overall consumer inflation rate of 2.1%. Translation: when a staple item rises, it can pull other prices up with it. (Korea JoongAng Daily)

What the Government Says It Will Do

Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has said it plans to increase production, boost the value of gim products, and expand consumer discount programs to help prevent export growth from overheating domestic prices. The ministry also said it will monitor price trends and take steps to stabilize prices. Separately, the ministry reported that gim exports passed USD 1 billion in 2025 (USD 1.015 billion as of Nov. 20, 2025), helped by stronger global demand—especially in North America and Europe. (Korea JoongAng Daily) (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)

The Bigger Picture: Exports Are Winning

Even with higher local prices, the export story is clearly strong—and it helps explain why gim prices surge so quickly when overseas demand jumps. Government data reported Korea’s total seafood exports hit $3.33 billion in 2025 (up 9.7% from 2024), with gim exports reaching a record $1.13 billion (up 13.7%). So, from a business perspective, gim looks like one of Korea’s standout “winning products”—the tricky part is balancing export success with affordable prices at home. (The Korea Times / Yonhap)

Vocabulary

Record high (noun phrase) – the highest level ever recorded.
Example: “Gim prices hit a record high in late January.”
Retail price (noun) – the price customers pay in stores.
Example: “The retail price reached 1,515 won per 10 sheets.”
Bundle (noun) – a group of items tied or sold together.
Example: “Korea exported 107 million bundles of gim in 2025.”
Demand (noun) – how strongly people want to buy something.
Example: “Global demand for Korean food pushed prices up.”
Tighten (verb) – to become more limited or restricted.
Example: “Exports tightened domestic supply.”
Destination (noun) – the place something is sent to.
Example: “Japan was a top destination for gim exports.”
Inflation (noun) – a general rise in prices over time.
Example: “Seafood inflation rose faster than overall inflation.”
Consumer price index (CPI) (noun) – a measure of price changes for everyday goods.
Example: “The CPI for gim rose 14.9% year‑on‑year.”
Stabilize (verb) – to make something steady and less likely to change.
Example: “The ministry said it will act to stabilize prices.”
Margin (noun) – the amount of profit after costs.
Example: “Restaurants may see smaller margins if ingredients get pricey.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What does “record high” mean in this story, and what number shows it?
Why can rising exports make domestic prices increase?
Which countries were the biggest destinations for gim by volume?
What does the article say about gim and seafood inflation in 2025?
Do you think the government’s plan (more production + discounts) will help? Why or why not?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Should a country prioritize exports if it raises prices for local people? Why?
What’s the best way to balance business growth and affordable food prices?
What other products in Korea (or your country) have become expensive recently?
How do you personally feel when a “daily staple” suddenly becomes pricey?
If you were a company selling gim overseas, how would you protect local customers too?

Related Idiom

“A double‑edged sword” – something that has both benefits and downsides.

Example: “The global boom in gim is a double‑edged sword: exports rise, but local prices climb too.”

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This article was inspired by: The Korea Herald (Feb 2, 2026). Additional reporting details were cross‑checked with: Korea JoongAng Daily, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and The Korea Times / Yonhap.