Ocean growing trials of Asparagopsis underway in South Korea

Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between FutureFeed and F&W in Wando, South Korea on 27 February 2025.

FutureFeed recently visited Wando in South Korea to formally sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with F&W, a start-up dedicated to cultivating Asparagopsis in the ocean.

South Korea is one of the world’s largest producers of seaweed, with much of it sourced from regions like Wando where seaweed farming has been a tradition for generations. Typically, these areas grow seaweed during the winter months leaving the current cultivation areas available for Asparagopsis during the summer, which offers favourable conditions for growing Asparagopsis Taxiformis.

F&W, led by Eun Hwa Kim, is a newly established start-up domiciled in Wando. The company is collaborating with local farmers, government bodies, and South Korean research institutions to commence large scale Asparagopsis cultivation. F&W has already established a nursery and hatchery and is preparing for a significant trial to commence in April this year with ropes laid leveraging existing seaweed cultivation sites that are used for kelp and wakame during the winter months.

FutureFeed CFO, James Stewart, who was in South Korea to sign the MOU, was very impressed by the progress being made and the high level of activity and enthusiasm from all stakeholders.

“It is clearly evident that South Korea brings a great deal of expertise in growing seaweed, and we have high confidence that F&W and their local partners will generate excellent results in their upcoming ocean growing trials”, said Mr Stewart.

F&W CEO, Eun Hwa Kim, stated that “the rapid progress we are making here gives us high confidence that South Korea can become a major player in supplying Asparagopsis to the growing global market.”