The Top Ribboned Nori, more commonly known as "nori" in the context of the fishing and aquaculture industry, is not a fish but rather a species of edible seaweed (genus Pyropia, formerly Porphyra) prized for its use in sushi and other Asian cuisines. This seaweed thrives in cold, shallow coastal waters and is cultivated extensively rather than wild-caught. The leading countries in nori production are Japan, South Korea, and China, which together account for the vast majority of global harvests. In these countries, nori farming is a major industry, involving sophisticated aquaculture techniques and supporting thousands of coastal communities. Japan, in particular, is renowned for its high-quality nori and has a long history of innovation in seaweed cultivation, while South Korea and China have rapidly expanded their production to meet growing international demand.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 11 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.