Black, crispy, often flat and square - dried seaweed, known locally as gim - is a humble staple on everyday dining tables across South Korea. But as its global popularity grows, its rising prices are worrying gim-lovers nationwide.
Lee Hyang-ran has been selling gim for the past 47 years. In the past, people from Western countries thought Koreans were eating something weird that looks like a piece of black paper, the vendor, who is in her 60s, says from a small market stall in central Seoul. I never thought I'd be selling gim to them. But now, they all come here and buy it.
South Korea is known to be the world's largest producer and exporter of gim, supplying markets across Asia, North America and Europe. Exports have risen steadily in recent years - and in 2025, South Korea's dried seaweed exports hit a record US$1.13bn, according to the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI). And as demand rises, so do prices.
Gim, typically cost around 100 won ($0.06) per sheet in 2024, but last month, the price of one sheet rose to above 150 won, a record high in the country. Premium products now cost as much as 350 won per sheet, said Lee.
The worldwide appetite for gim reflects a growing global demand for Korean goods, driven by cultural influences like K-pop and K-dramas. As global audiences engage more deeply with such entertainment, they're also increasingly looking to Korean cuisine, something businesses worldwide have picked up on. In 2023, US supermarket chain Trader Joe's Gimbap - a Korean rice roll wrapped in seaweed - went viral and was cleared off the shelves nationwide shortly after its launch.
Moreover, experts noted that the increase in demand for gim leads to noticeable price sensitivity among South Korean consumers, traditionally used to buying it at lower prices. With supply struggles to keep pace, domestic prices rise as producers shift focus to meet overseas demands. Companies and government initiatives are now stepping in with plans to stabilize prices and ensure supply.
Back in Seoul, the market buzzes with tourists, and business is booming for Lee. Gim has been selling like hot cakes... the ones for making gimbap are especially popular, she says. I'm glad Korean gim is getting popular.
