South Korea's first seafood export complex opens in Mokpo

Seaweed processing, R&D and export functions under one roof

Complex features dried seaweed exchange and leasable processing factories

Aims to boost value-added production of local seafood

Location and overview of the Mokpo Seafood Export Complex [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]

South Korea's first seafood export complex has opened in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. Built at a total cost of 117.9 billion won ($89 million), the facility brings together processing, research and development, retail and export support for locally specialized seafood products — including seaweed — under one roof. It is intended to serve as a hub for expanding the production base of seafood companies and helping them break into overseas markets.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Thursday it will hold a completion ceremony for the Mokpo Seafood Export Complex in Mokpo on Friday.

The complex covers a site of 28,133 square meters with a total floor area of 46,612 square meters. Of the total project cost of 117.9 billion won, 77 billion won came from the national government.

The complex is centered on seaweed and related products. It is equipped with leasable processing factories, a dried seaweed exchange, research facilities, an export support center, and refrigerated and frozen storage.

Seafood companies can use the complex's processing facilities to manufacture products and receive product development support through the research facilities. The export support center is designed to provide the assistance companies need to enter foreign markets.

A key feature of the complex is that it consolidates processing, research and development, retail and export functions that individual companies previously handled separately. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said it aims to use the complex to raise the value-added potential of locally specialized seafood and strengthen the export competitiveness of seafood companies.

"The Mokpo Seafood Export Complex will serve as a new gateway connecting our seafood products to the world and will play a pivotal role in the seafood industry," said Choi Hyeon-ho, director general for fisheries policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. "Starting with the completion of this complex, the ministry will shift the seafood industry toward a processing- and export-oriented model to increase its added value."

adastra@heraldcorp.com