After a 30 percent increase in 2003 over the previous year, Alaska’s 2004 exports rose by two percent to $580 million, buoyed by sales of $121 million of fertilizer, and $113 million in zinc and lead ore. Korea now accounts for nearly one fifth of all Alaska exports.

Alaska seafood exports to Korea declined nine percent to $283 million but still represent the second highest year for those products. In addition to its domestic consumption of Alaska seafood, Korea plays an important brokering role in Alaska products as well. Pollock roe from Alaska has become increasingly popular both in Korea and in Korea’s re-export sales to other Asian countries. Lower harvest levels of Korean fisheries and strong competition from China affect Alaska sales. Korea’s new Free Trade Agreement with Chile, which took effect in 2004, will also affect Alaska seafood export to Korea.

2004 was a historic year for Alaska seafood export to Korea—canned Alaska pink salmon was introduced to Korea for the first time. Copper River Seafoods sold upward of 400 metric tons of salmon, both pink and silver, to Dongwon Food and Beverage last season for final processing at Dongwon’s facilities. Copper River also sold its popular smoked sockeye in jars to a subsidary of the Korean conglomerate, Lotte Group.

Korea’s demand for coal, including bituminous coal, grew overall in 2004. Alaska export of coal to Korea increased 169% percent to $11 million in 2004. The United States, including Alaska, supplied about two percent of Korea’s coal in the past year.