In Scotland, salmon farms reported record losses in 2023, with over one million farmed salmon perishing during a single farming cycle due to rising sea temperatures, according to The Guardian. Meanwhile, The Economist reported a sharp decline in Norway’s wild Atlantic salmon population, citing genetic contamination from escaped farmed salmon as a long-term threat to the species’ survival.
Despite these global setbacks, South Korea is positioning itself as a potential salmon producer, transitioning from heavy reliance on imports to building domestic aquaculture infrastructure. By 2025, the nation plans to introduce its first mass-produced, domestically bred Atlantic salmon to local markets.
The Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted salmon supply chains, with airspace restrictions over Russia forcing Norwegian exporters to take longer, costlier routes to Asian markets. These disruptions have caused price volatility and elevated salmon’s role in South Korea’s seafood economy.
Atlantic salmon accounted for 7.9 percent of South Korea’s $6.2 billion seafood imports in 2023, reflecting its popularity. In response, South Korea's Pohang City and Gangwon Province are ramping up aquaculture initiatives to reduce dependence on imports.
Gangwon Province, an early adopter of smart-farming technology, announced plans to invest 850 billion won (approximately $600 million) into domestic salmon farming infrastructure. Governor Kim Jin-tae emphasized the potential to replace 28 percent of current imports, which come almost entirely from Norway.
“This initiative could generate an import substitution effect worth roughly 200 billion won annually,” Kim stated. He also highlighted opportunities for exporting to neighboring markets, including Japan and China.
Gangwon’s aquaculture program, which utilizes flow-through systems to maintain fresh water circulation, is projected to produce 20,000 tons of Atlantic salmon annually by 2029. Other regions, such as Busan and Pohang, are exploring similar large-scale projects. However, Gangwon’s cooler waters and available land make it uniquely suited for salmon farming, according to Norwegian experts.
The private sector is also stepping in. Dongwon Industries, a leading South Korean seafood company, has partnered with Norway’s Salmon Evolution to develop a state-of-the-art aquatic farm in Gangwon’s Yangyang County. Scheduled for completion in 2029, the farm is expected to strengthen Korea’s position in the global salmon market.
Busan, a southern coastal city, recently unveiled its first batch of domestically grown Atlantic salmon, produced using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), an eco-friendly method. The city aims to produce 1,000 tons of salmon annually.
Despite its promise, salmon farming faces persistent challenges, including sourcing sustainable fish feed, mitigating sea lice infestations, and addressing environmental impacts. However, industry leaders like Norway’s Mowi have pioneered solutions, leveraging smart-farming technologies to position salmon as one of the most sustainable animal proteins available.
South Korea’s appetite for salmon has surged, with total imports quadrupling from $136 million in 2013 to $528 million in 2023. As the country seeks to meet growing domestic demand while reducing import dependence, its nascent aquaculture industry could play a transformative role.
Experts highlight salmon farming’s efficiency. According to a report by Degroof Petercam Asset Management (DPAM), salmon farming produces 1.5 to 6.2 times more edible protein per kilogram of feed compared to traditional livestock farming. Moreover, Atlantic salmon, which dominates 94.5 percent of Korea’s salmon market, offers a low-carbon footprint alternative to other animal proteins.
While challenges remain, South Korea’s growing investment in aquaculture reflects both necessity and ambition, signaling a potential shift in the global salmon industry as the nation transitions from consumer to producer.
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