S. Korea aims to export US$500 million worth of oysters in 2015

SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea aims to export US$500 million worth of
oysters by making better use of the nation's vast tidal flats, the government
said Thursday.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it will allocate
155.5 billion won (US$134.1 million) over the next five years to build up
aquaculture infrastructure on the western and southern coasts, with 21.6 billion
being earmarked for this year.
It said the total area to be built up will cover 2,550 square kilometers, or 4.2
times the area of Seoul, with the production of various seafoods being raised
from 35,000 tons at present to 160,000 tons by the target year.
Infrastructure-building will involve introducing eco-friendly shellfish farming
methods, dredging tidal flats and removing waste.
"In the case of oysters, the country currently ships out about $40 million worth
of oysters on an annual basis, but by employing the latest aquaculture methods,
production could be increased considerably," said Kang Joon-suk, head of the
ministry's fishery resources bureau.
He said exports will be centered on neighboring countries such as Japan, China
and Hong Kong, although this can be expanded to the United States and Europe,
where there is steady demand for seafood.
The official claimed that the country will start introducing so-called half-shell
oysters that make the bulk of consumption in Europe and North America.
Half-shell oysters are larger and fetch higher prices on the market than the
smaller oysters that are consumed in the country at present. Most oysters in the
country are sold with their shells completely removed.
"Countries like Italy import 7,000 tons of oysters per year, which is slightly
less than the 8,000 tons produced in the country, while France imports 4,000
tons," the official said.
He said because oysters on the half-shell have a relatively a long shelf life in
cold storage, they can easily be shipped to Europe if there is demand in the
future.
In addition to oysters, the ministry said exporting sea slugs also looks
promising since they are used in large quantities in many Chinese foods. China
produces and consumes 200,000 tons of sea slugs locally, with shortfalls being
met by imports. South Korea produces 2,000 tons per year, with almost none being
sold abroad.
"If production can be increased, there will be room for exports," he said, adding
that production may be raised to 10,000 tons.
The ministry, meanwhile, said that if there is a rise in production and exports,
development of the country's tidal flats could create 32,000 new jobs in the food
production, processing and export sectors in the coming years.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)

Delete & Prev | Delete & Next