An agricultural ministry official stated that kimchi exports experienced a significant surge, primarily because of the increased popularity of K-content
South Korea set a new record for kimchi exports in 2023. This increase can be attributed to the rising popularity of Korean entertainment content worldwide. According to data from the Korea Customs Service, outbound shipments of kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented cabbage, increased by 7.1 per cent to 44,041 tonnes. This figure is higher than the previous record of 42,544 tons set in 2021. In terms of value, exports reached $155.6 million, up 10.5 per cent from the previous year.
An agricultural ministry official stated that kimchi exports experienced a significant surge, primarily because of the increased popularity of K-content.
The data showed that Japan was the top destination for kimchi exports in 2023, accounting for 20,173 tonnes. The United States ranked second with 10,660 tonnes, followed by the Netherlands with 1,756 tonnes.
South Korea’s imports of kimchi amounted to $163.5 million in 2023, showing a decrease of 3.4 per cent from the previous year, resulting in a trade deficit of $7.95 million. The country imports kimchi, mostly from China, due to high production costs in the domestic market.
