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Korean seafood imports totaled $5.93 billion in 2023, down 8.3 percent from 2022. Korean 2023 seafood imports from the United States totaled $203 million, a decrease of 11.4 percent year-to-year.

Ample opportunities exist for U.S. agricultural exports to South Korea. Highlighted in the chart above, U.S. agricultural product exports were a record $9.5 billion in 2022, up 2 percent from 2021. South Korea is the sixth largest export market for the United States, thanks in part to a successful free trade agreement (KORUS) between the two countries and a robust demand for high-quality U.S. food products.

Korean seafood imports totaled $6.47 billion in 2022, up 12.7 percent from the year before. Seafood for human consumption imported from the United States to Korea in 2022 reached $229 million, an increase of 5.6 percent year-to-year. The United...

Seafood is an important staple in Ghanaian cuisine as it accounts for 60 percent of animal protein intake with an estimated per capita consumption rate of 26 kg. U.S. seafood sales to Ghana recently experienced a boost in sales, however, sustained seafood exports from the U.S. are at risk due to the Government of Ghana’s (GOG) recent announcement to increase the tax 1,573 percent per metric ton on frozen seafood.

The fisheries sector contributes to 3.2 percent to Senegal’s gross domestic product (GDP), accounts for 10.2 percent of Senegal exports, and generated $400 million in value in 2021. There is a growing demand for high quality fish and seafood products because overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have led to depleted fish stocks, creating market access opportunities for U.S. seafood exporters.

Korean seafood imports totaled $5.74 billion in 2021, up 9 percent from 2020, with imports from the United States increasing slightly to $217 million. The United States remains the fifth largest seafood exporter to Korea with a 3.8 percent market share.

The lobster market in Korea was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2021, Korean lobster imports totaled 413.6 metric tons. The United States was the second largest supplier, holding a 7.7 percent market share by volume. Canada is the largest supplier.

The seafood industry plays an important role for Côte d’Ivoire 's national economy. In 2021, this sector accounted for about 3.2 percent of the agricultural GDP, resulting in a contribution of 0.8 percent to the overall GDP and generated $114 million in value. Demand for high quality seafood is high, creating an excellent opportunity for U.S. seafood suppliers.

Ghana has one of the highest rates of dependence on fish for nutrition in Africa, with fish providing 60 percent of animal protein intake and estimated per capita fish consumption at 25 kg. Ghana’s seafood market presents an excellent opportunity for U.S. suppliers.

The outlook for U.S. products in the Korean retail industry is excellent for a wide range of products.

While Korean seafood imports declined in 2020, the United States remains the country's fifth-largest seafood supplier with a 4.1 percent market share.

The lobster market has grown since Korea signed FTAs with the United States in 2012 and Canada in 2015. Korean lobster imports totaled 5,254 metric tons in 2019.