South Korea cemented its position as the world’s biggest supplier of dried gim, laver or seaweed, achieving export milestone of $500 million in December.

According to data released by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Tuesday, Korea shipped out more than 20,000 tons of dried laver worth over $500 million so far this year.

Gim has earned international fame as healthy and low-calorie snack. Korean produce gained momentum upon achieving the milestone of $100 million in 2010.

The biggest market was Japan - which previously had been the primary laver supplier - with imports reaching $113 million as of December 20, up 48 percent from a year ago. China came second with $87 million worth, followed by the United States with $84 million. Gim export to Russia more than tripled to $16 million and to Germany more than doubled to $7 million.

Markets expanded to 109 countries from 49 in 2007.

The ministry hopes to make Korean gim a global food with export goal of $1 billion by 2024.

By Moon Jae-yong and Lee Ha-yeon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]