Korea’s Imports of Japanese Seafood Plunge, in Contrast to Surge in Imports of Asahi Beer

South Korea’s imports of Japanese seafood have declined for five straight months. (Image courtesy of Yonhap News)

SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s imports of Japanese seafood have declined for five straight months. In contrast, the nation’s imports of Asahi beer saw a nearly five-fold jump last month. 

According to the Korea Customs Service, South Korea imported 1,622 tons of Japanese seafood last month, down 24.9 percent from a year ago. Even in value terms, the nation’s imports of Japanese seafood declined by 34.8 percent to $7.81 million.

Both in volume and value, South Korea’s imports of Japanese seafood have been on a downward trend for five straight months starting from April. 

Last month, when Tokyo Electric Power began releasing treated nuclear wastewater into the sea, marked the steepest decline in imports this year.

South Korea’s imports of Japanese seafood in August hit the lowest point in two years, since August 2021 ($7.57 million).

In contrast to the decline in imports of Japanese seafood, South Korea’s imports of Japanese beer continued on an upward trend. The nation imported 8,644 tons of Japanese beer last month, up 323.7 percent from a year ago. In terms of value, the imports of Japanese beer soared by 393.3 percent to $7.48 million. 

Last month’s imports of Japanese beer, both in value and volume, saw the highest growth since June 2019, just before the Japanese government imposed export restrictions on South Korea.

South Korea’s imports of Japanese beer have maintained an upward trend for 16 straight months starting in May 2022.

Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)