South Korea's Imports Of Chinese Aquatic Products Increased By 7%, With Fresh Products Leading The Way

According to the latest statistics released by the international aquatic product trade organization Union Forsea Corp., in March 2025, South Korea's total imports of aquatic products from China reached 20,967 tons, a year-on-year increase of 7%, demonstrating the continued vitality of China-South Korea aquatic product trade and the stability of China's supply chain. In the first quarter of this year, the cumulative import volume reached 61,425 tons, which was basically the same as the same period last year, but China still remained the largest source of aquatic product imports in South Korea, accounting for 26% of its total imports.

Fresh shellfish, frozen products under pressure: structural changes are becoming increasingly obvious

Data shows that the Korean market's demand for Chinese aquatic products has shown a clear differentiation. Frozen monkfish, which has been the main category for a long time in the past, had an import volume of 12,949 tons in March, down 8% year-on-year, which may reflect the adjustment of Korean demand.

At the same time, fresh shellfish performed strongly, especially driven by the recovery of the catering market and consumption upgrades. The import volume of live clams reached 5,999 tons, up 4% year-on-year, and hard shell clams increased by 9% to 3,925 tons, showing that the Korean market's preference for "high freshness, high experience" products is increasing.

But not all products are riding the wave. The import volume of frozen squid has dropped precipitously, down 19% year-on-year to 3,769 tons. Industry insiders pointed out that this may be related to the fact that Southeast Asian countries provide more price-competitive alternative sources of goods.

Price competition intensifies, and the export structure needs to be optimized urgently

Although China's aquatic product exports to South Korea increased in March, the growth rate was slightly weak in terms of amount. The export value in March was US$72.37 million, a year-on-year increase of 5%, but the total export value in the first quarter of 2025 was US$210.49 million, a slight decrease of 1% year-on-year.

This reflects that while maintaining its market share, Chinese aquatic products are facing the challenge of "increasing volume and reducing prices". Union Forsea's analysis pointed out: "Chinese export companies have stabilized their market position by flexibly adjusting their product category structure, but they need to be wary of price shocks from emerging countries in the mid- and low-end markets in the future."

Looking forward to the Q2 peak season: "Structural war" and "value war" in China's aquatic product exports

As South Korea's second quarter consumption peak season approaches, the focus of market demand is gradually shifting towards fresh, convenient and high value-added products. It is expected that Korean importers will expand their purchases of live shellfish, ready-to-eat aquatic products and deep-processed products.

For Chinese exporters, this is both an opportunity and a challenge - how to maintain the market position of traditional frozen products in price competition, while strengthening product innovation and brand building in the high-end market, will become the key direction for future efforts.

As the global aquatic product trade pattern continues to evolve, the performance of Chinese aquatic products in the Korean market reflects strong supply resilience and flexible market response capabilities. However, in the face of the dual pressures of consumption upgrading and regional competition, category upgrading, added value enhancement and differentiated competition strategies will become the key to winning the future.