"K-Food Exports Hit All-Time High from January to September This Year"

[Financial News] K-Food exports reached a record high through September this year.
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) announced on the 28th that K-Food exports from January to September this year totaled $8.48 billion, an 8.9% increase over the same period last year, setting a new record for the period. K-Food exports have grown for nine consecutive years since 2016, and this year once again broke the previous record.
Notably, the global popularity of K-pop Demon Hunters and the upcoming APEC 2025 Korea (APEC) summit in Gyeongju—being held in Korea for the first time in 20 years from October 31 to November 1—are expected to draw worldwide attention and further boost K-Food’s global recognition.
Most export categories, including agricultural, livestock, and seafood products, showed steady growth. Processed food, which accounts for over 60% of total K-Food exports, rose 6.7% year-on-year to $5.2 billion, leading the overall export increase.
Seafood exports, driven by strong gim sales, grew 11.2% to $2.33 billion. Livestock products surged 50.3% to $280 million. Exports of agricultural and forest products also increased by 5.6% and 24.6%, respectively.
By specific item, Ramyeon exports jumped 24.5% to $1.13 billion, underscoring the continued popularity of K-Ramyeon. Gim, now established as a global health food, also contributed to export growth with a 14.0% increase to $880 million.
Other major items also saw increases, including confectionery such as traditional Hangwa (up 2.0%), Coffee Preparations like instant coffee (up 15.8%), sauces such as Gochujang and Doenjang (up 7.2%), and various Beverages (up 2.6%).
As of September, the top three export destinations for K-Food were the United States of America (U.S.A.) ($1.6 billion, up 13.1%), China ($1.5 billion, up 12.5%), and Japan ($1.16 billion, up 6.7%), with these three countries accounting for 50.2% of total exports.
During APEC 2025 Korea, the government plans to designate 29 organizations and companies as official K-Food sponsors, actively introducing popular foods such as chicken, Ramyeon, tteokbokki, sundae, and Hangwa to world leaders and international media.
A Korea Customs Service (KCS) official stated, "Nine out of the top ten K-Food export destinations are APEC member countries, and exports to APEC nations account for 81.5% of total exports. Promotional and marketing efforts targeting these countries are expected to have a significant impact on expanding K-Food’s presence and increasing exports in overseas markets."
kwj5797@fnnews.com Kim Won-jun Reporter