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Busan is emerging as the epicenter of the K-Seafood boom. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Jeon Jae-soo) announced that a large-scale trade consultation and international buyers’ meeting will be held at BEXCO’s Exhibition Hall 1 from November 5 to 7 during the Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo (BISFE).

© Instagram @bisfekorea

■  Buyers from 19 Countries Show Strong Interest in K-Seafood

The event will bring together 80 buyers from 19 countries, including the United States, China, Japan, Vietnam, France, Thailand, and Canada, for one-on-one export consultations with over 100 Korean seafood exporters.
Major Korean seafood processing companies—Hansung Enterprise (crab sticks and fish cakes), Busan Fish Cake, and Seongkyung Food (dried seaweed)—are participating, creating new opportunities for global cooperation.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will also collaborate with 11 overseas trade support centers in 8 countries to identify export challenges and promote promising K-Seafood products.

Hansung crab sticks

(Photo credit: Hansung Enterprise official website)

Seongkyung dried seaweed

(Photo credit: Seongkyung Food Co official webstore)

■ From Dried Seaweed to Fish Cake and Crab Sticks — The Rise of ‘K-Seafood’

The Korean Wave, once led by K-pop and K-dramas, is now expanding into “K-Seafood.”
Traditional Korean seafood products such as dried seaweed, fish cake, and crab sticks have gained popularity in countries like the U.S. and Japan as healthy, convenient foods.
Reflecting this trend, the Expo will feature a special K-Seafood Promotion Pavilion, showcasing the quality and diversity of Korean seafood products.
In addition, K·FISH promotional videos will be screened, and buyer roundtables by country will further boost the global recognition of Korean seafood brands.

 Foreign visitors enjoying fish cake soup and kimbap(AI-generated image for illustration)

■ “Making Seafood a New Export Powerhouse Like K-pop”

Vice Minister Kim Sung-beom of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will attend the opening ceremony, visit the trade support and K-Seafood booths, and encourage participating exporters.
 He remarked, “I hope this event will serve as a bridge connecting Korean seafood exporters with global buyers, breathing new life into our export industry. The Ministry will continue to provide full support for the growth of K-Seafood exports.”

■ The Global Seafood Market: A New Ocean of Opportunity

As eco-friendly and health-conscious food trends spread worldwide, Korean seafood is gaining attention for its taste and quality.
The government plans to use this year’s BISFE as a platform to strengthen overseas market expansion and nurture K-Seafood as Korea’s next major export brand—following in the footsteps of K-pop.
 The event in Busan marks a new voyage for Korea’s seafood industry as it sets sail toward the global market.