[Edaily Reporter Kim Ji-woo ] Food companies are focusing their efforts on seaweed, often referred to as the “black semiconductor.” They are entering the market by establishing joint ventures or investing in technology for land-based seaweed cultivation. As demand for Korean seaweed grows overseas, companies are accelerating their market expansion by expanding their lineup of localized products and introducing packaging that maintains crispness even during long-distance transport.

Partnering with the Government to Grow Seaweed on Land

According to industry sources on the 13th, Pulmuone Corporate and Daesang are participating in the “Sustainable Production of High-Quality Seaweed Seeds and Development of Land-Based Cultivation Technology” project, which the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been promoting since last year with an investment of 35 billion won through 2029.

Land-based nori farming—a method of cultivating nori on land rather than in the ocean—is a technology designed to prepare for the future of the nori industry. Concerns have been raised that since most nori farming currently takes place in the ocean, it is vulnerable to environmental variables such as seawater temperature, salinity, and pollution levels. As ocean temperatures continue to rise due to global warming and abnormal weather patterns, the period during which nori can be farmed along the coast is gradually shortening, and production volumes are declining.

Daesang(001680)The company aims to establish a system for the development and commercialization of land-based kelp aquaculture technology by 2029 and to begin marketing kelp harvested through land-based aquaculture around 2030. Daesang is currently conducting “attachment-type” aquaculture, in which CIAAT is attached to a substrate and harvested once it grows to a size of 40–50 cm. The company explains that compared to the “floating-type” method, which involves growing seaweed in large tanks, this method offers higher yield per unit cost and allows the fronds to grow to a sufficient size.

Pulmuone Corporate is demonstrating year-round nori production and quality control technologies and pushing for their industrialization. In June of this year, the company broke ground on a nori land-based aquaculture research and development (R&D) center in the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex, which is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of next year. The center will serve as a hub for demonstrating technology that produces seaweed by controlling growth conditions such as temperature, light, and nutrients. Pulmuone Corporate plans to secure raw materials and promote mutual growth with the local community by disseminating the developed aquaculture model to local fishermen and purchasing the harvested fresh seaweed for commercialization.

Forming a Joint Venture and Building a Factory

ORION(271560)is the latest company to enter the fray. Last December, ORION established “Orion Suhyup,” a joint venture with the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives. With a total capital of 60 billion won, both parties hold a 50% stake each. The factory is scheduled to begin operations after its completion in the second half of next year. The plan is to combine the Suhyup’s seafood supply capabilities with ORION’s food processing, marketing, and domestic and international distribution networks to pursue a business in seaweed products and seafood snacks. This effectively expands the capabilities ORION has built in the snack business into the processed seafood sector.

#CJ CheilJedang Corp., which operates the “Bibigo Seaweed” brand, has begun producing its own raw materials. In August, the company broke ground on a commercial land-based seaweed farming facility in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, with completion scheduled for the first half of next year. The goal is to offset the production volatility associated with offshore farming and secure raw materials of consistent quality year-round.

In addition, food companies are expanding their markets with products tailored to the dietary habits of overseas consumers. Daesang is expanding its lineup of localized products in Southeast Asia, such as dried seaweed and seaweed snacks. A prime example is “Kim Bori,” which is sprinkled on dishes like nasi goreng and mie goreng. This strategy goes beyond simply selling Korean-style side dishes to expand the uses of seaweed as an ingredient and snack to accompany local cuisines.

#Dongwon F&F has focused on maintaining quality throughout the overseas distribution process. Last August, the company introduced a nitrogen-flushing process for its “Yangban Kim” brand and applied this method along with silica gel to export products, extending the shelf life from six months to 12 months. This ensures that the seaweed retains its characteristic crisp texture even in overseas markets, where transportation and distribution take longer than in Korea.

Accelerating Supply Management to Meet Rising Demand

Food companies are entering the seaweed business because it is a market with guaranteed demand both domestically and internationally. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, seaweed exports last year reached a record high of $1.13 billion. Last year’s production of dried seaweed totaled 200 million bundles (1 bundle = 200 sheets), and the government projects that demand for dried seaweed will reach 210 million bundles by 2030.

An industry official stated, “As seaweed exports expand, food companies are changing not only how consumers eat seaweed but also how it is cultivated, processed, and distributed,” adding, “Once a stable supply of raw materials from land-based seaweed farming and a commercialization infrastructure are established, the industry will expand into various high-value-added sectors such as health foods and ready-to-eat meals.”