Ask Onix
South Korea's seaweed snack faces price surge
Once a budget-friendly staple, dried seaweed-known locally as gim-has seen record price hikes in South Korea as its global popularity drives up costs for domestic consumers.
From local staple to global sensation
For nearly five decades, Lee Hyang-ran has sold gim from her stall in central Seoul. In the past, she recalls Western visitors dismissing the crispy, black sheets as an oddity. Today, those same customers flock to her market to buy it.
South Korea dominates global gim production, exporting to Asia, North America, and Europe. Dubbed the country's "black semiconductor" for its economic value, dried seaweed exports hit a record $1.13 billion in 2025, according to the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI).
Prices climb as demand outpaces supply
Once priced at 100 won (about $0.06) per sheet in 2024, gim now sells for over 150 won-a historic high. Premium varieties can cost up to 350 won per sheet, Lee notes.
Kim Jaela, a 30-year-old bulk buyer, says the price jump has forced her to reconsider her usual purchases. "I just checked online, and it's gotten more expensive by a few dollars. If prices stay this high, I won't restock," she says.
Korean pop culture fuels global appetite
The surge in demand reflects the broader global embrace of Korean culture, from K-pop to K-dramas. As international audiences engage with these trends, Korean cuisine-including gim-has gained traction.
In 2023, U.S. supermarket chain Trader Joe's gimbap (rice rolls wrapped in seaweed) sold out nationwide after going viral. Miki, a 22-year-old tourist from Japan, says she discovered gim through K-dramas. "It's lighter and crispier than Japan's nori," she explains.
Viola, a 60-year-old visitor from Brooklyn, treats gim like a healthier alternative to potato chips. "I just pop it in my mouth," she says.
Producers eye expansion amid price pressures
Kim Namin, whose family runs a 30-year-old gim processing factory in Wando, says most of their output now goes overseas. "Demand is outpacing supply," he says, adding that his family may expand operations despite domestic price sensitivity.
Experts cite inflation, rising labor costs, and reduced overseas production as factors, but agree that global demand is the primary driver. To ease domestic concerns, the government and companies like Pulmone are investing in year-round seaweed farming research.
Market buzz reflects shifting fortunes
Back in Seoul, Lee's stall thrives with tourists. "Gim sells like hotcakes, especially for gimbap," she says. "I'm glad it's getting popular-even if it means higher prices at home."
