South Korean exports of seaweed products moved up 13 percent on-year over the first nine months of 2021, data showed, on the back of the growing popularity of Korean culture abroad.

Outbound shipments of seaweed products came to $507 million in the January-September period, compared to the $448 million tallied a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The amount marked a sharp rise from just $100 million posted for all of 2010, the ministry said.

The number of export destinations of seaweed, meanwhile, came to 112 countries as of September, from 60 in 2010. (Yonhap)