SEOUL — South Korea's kimchi exports have surged to a new record in the first half of the year, propelled by increasing international appetite for the country's traditional cuisine, particularly in North America and Europe.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the latest figures from the Korea Customs Service and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., outbound shipments of kimchi reached 23,900 tons in the first six months of the year, marking a 4.8 percent increase from the previous year. This growth reflects a significant rise from the 11,500 tons recorded in 2015, with steady annual increases highlighting the growing global popularity of Korean food.
In terms of value, kimchi exports amounted to $83.8 million in the first half, nearing the record high of $86.7 million set in 2021. The boost in exports has been particularly notable in North America and Europe, with shipments to the United States increasing by 20 percent year-on-year to 6,600 tons, and those to Canada by 34 percent to 900 tons. The Netherlands also saw a 34 percent jump in imports, totaling 1,300 tons.
Financially, the U.S. was the largest market in value terms, with exports reaching a record $24.1 million, an 18.9 percent increase from the previous year. Other significant markets included the Netherlands, Britain, and Canada, demonstrating a robust demand across diverse regions.
Despite this export success, South Korea saw a slight decrease in its kimchi imports, totaling $83.4 million in the first half of the year, compared to $78.8 million a year earlier. Japan remains the largest buyer of South Korean kimchi, purchasing 9,600 tons worth $28.3 million, despite a decrease of 11.9 percent compared to the previous year.