Safety concerns: Japanese seafood imports hit lowest level in South Korea

On January 28, the Korea Customs Service announced data showing that seafood imports from Japan into the country in 2023 fell to the lowest level since 2012.

Lo ngại an toàn: Nhập khẩu hải sản Nhật Bản đạt mức thấp nhất tại Hàn Quốc

The decline in seafood imports from Japan in South Korea can be seen as an example of consumer concerns about the safety and quality of seafood products following the nuclear accidents. Illustrative photo. (Source: IC)

According to Yonhap news agency, the total value of Japan's seafood imports, including fish and shellfish, from Japan reached only $151.9 million in 2023, down 12.8% from the previous year.

This is the sharpest decline since 2012, when seafood imports from Japan to the Korean market fell 33.3% year-on-year due to concerns about the safety of the Fukushima nuclear power plant after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

In 2013, South Korea imposed a ban on all seafood imports from eight prefectures near Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant due to concerns about radioactive contamination in seafood.

The decline in seafood imports from Japan in Korea can be seen as an example of consumer concerns about the safety and quality of seafood products after the nuclear accidents. This can also create opportunities for other seafood producers and importers to supply quality-assured products to the Korean market.

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