Seoul: The government unveiled Thursday a set of measures aimed at upgrading South Korea's laver export supply chain amid the increasing global popularity of Korean laver products.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced plans to improve the country's supply chain for laver exports, targeting an annual export value of US$1.8 billion by 2030. This move is driven by the global popularity of Korean culture and cuisine, which has spurred demand for Korean laver, or "gim."

Last year, South Korea exported a record $1.13 billion worth of laver products, marking a 13.7 percent increase from the previous year. Laver emerged as the leading seafood export item, constituting about one-third of the country's total seafood exports, which amounted to $3.33 billion.

By 2030, the global demand for dried laver is projected to reach 210 million bundles. Currently, Korea's annual average production of laver stands at approximately 150 million bundles, with each bundle comprising 100 sheets of dried laver.

To meet these goals, the government plans to assist the gim industry in expanding its cultivation capacity and reducing price volatility. Additionally, efforts will be made to advance the storage and supply chain system to support this growth.

The ministry also aims to establish an international dried laver exchange. This initiative is intended to encourage local producers to cultivate high-quality gim, thereby enhancing the value of Korean laver products on the global market.