South Korea seafood exporters secure US$6.9 million in orders

At North America's largest seafood event last week, South Korean companies secured US$6.93 million worth of export orders, the government said Monday (March 22).

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MFAFF) said the 10 companies signed deals to export frozen oysters, short-necked clams and seasoned laver at the event in the east coast US.

South Korean companies also sealed contracts for caviar, live flounder, salted mackerel and dried squid.

Meanwhile, South Korea's exports of local fisheries to the US rose 13.3% on-year to US$1.28 million in 2009.

For the whole of last year, South Korea shipped out US$1.51 billion worth of seafood, with Japan, China and the US being the largest buyers. For 2010, South Korea aims to export US$1.90 billion worth of fisheries goods.