Korean Laver

[Anchor Lead]

Korea is known to be the world's largest laver exporter. However, Korean laver sell for far lower prices than those from rival countries such as Japan and China. Efforts are picking up speed to develop a system to grade the quality of Korean laver, which will eventually enhance its competitive edge.

[Pkg]

Fishing ships return to a wharf from an operation to collect laver early in the morning. The nation's production of laver has significantly increased recently thanks to a rise in the number of farms. But laver farmers are facing greater difficulties due to falling prices.

[Soundbite] Yoon Ei-hyun(Laver Farmer) : "Compared to last year, laver prices are falling now. I think it is due to overproduction."

Prices of raw laver are determined through visual examinations by brokers.

[Soundbite] Kim Chi-yong(Laver Broker) : "Quality laver is reddish. Laver in this color tastes best."

Dried laver sells for prices between 3,500 won and 4,500 won per 100 sheets. It is a third of prices for Japanese laver and half the value of Chinese products. Japan and China grade the quality of laver in the production and processing phase and focus on producing high-quality products that mostly sell for high prices. In Korea, a food company developed and introduced a quality grading system two years ago. The system grades laver based on its texture, salinity and protein content. Naturally, the production of better quality laver has increased and prices have risen 20 or 30 percent. Also, sales have grown over 20 percent with exports jumping.

[Soundbite] Lee Sang-min(Laver Processing Company Official) : "We increased exports mainly in quantitative terms in the past. But now, we are working to expand the exports of high-quality products that sell for high prices."

Laver exports amounted to 590 billion won last year. The government plans to improve the quality of laver by introducing a grading system and increase laver exports to one trillion won in five years.