South Korea enjoys record-high kimchi exports in first half

South Korea's kimchi exports surged to an all-time high for a six-month period in the first half of this year, according to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and the Korea Customs Service.

Kimchi exports totaled 23,900 tons in the first six months of 2024, marking a 4.8% increase from the 22,800 tons exported during the same period last year.

The latest shipment is more than double the 11,500 tons exported in 2015 thanks to soaring demand from the US and Europe.

Kimchi exports to the US rose 20% year-on-year to 6,600 tons in the first half of this year.

The shipment of the Korean staple dish to the Netherlands saw a 34% surge to 1,300 tons during the same period. Kimchi exports to Canada more than doubled to 900 tons, compared with three years before.

In terms of export value, Japan was the biggest market for Korean kimchi makers, making up $28.3 million of their exports, followed by the US with $24.1 million.

However, their exports to Japan fell 11.9% in volume and 16.1% in value, compared with the year-earlier peroid due to the weak yen.

Kimchin exports to the Netherlands, the UK and Canada jumped by 37.3%, 65.3% and 41.6% to $5.6 million, $4.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

Industry watchers attribute the overall increase in kimchi exports to the growing popularity of K-culture in the US and Europe, as well as rising demand for health foods.

Write to Hyun-jin Ra at raraland@hankyung.com