South Korea’s exports of food and related products grew 5.2 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, driven by the popularity of instant noodles and processed rice products, according to government data.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said exports from the food sector, known as “K-food Plus,” reached $6.21 billion, up from $5.9 billion a year earlier, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday.
K-Food Plus offers a wide range of food and related products, from fresh and processed foods to agricultural equipment and solutions.
Broken down by product, exports of instant noodles increased 32.3 percent to $590.2 million, while exports of processed rice products increased 41.4 percent to $136.9 million, the data showed.
The ministry attributed the increase in instant noodle exports to the popularity of social media content featuring spicy food challenges, as well as the launch of customised products by exporters.
Korean rice products have also become more popular, with frozen kimbap (seaweed rolls) gaining traction in the U.S. market as a gluten-free and healthy dining option, the ministry said.
By export destination, exports to the United States surged 17 percent to $736 million, driven by increased demand due to buoyant consumer spending, a stabilizing labor market and easing inflation.
Exports to China also grew 3.1 percent to $702 million, as exporters used online platforms and influencers to promote Korean food products.
Meanwhile, exports to Japan fell 7 percent to $671.3 million during the period due to the declining purchasing power of Japanese consumers, the ministry added.
