Exports of ‘snack food trio’ hit all-time high... Ramen shipments up 18% this year to $260 million

Exports of the K-Bunsik “snack food trio” — ramen, frozen gimbap and tteokbokki — have hit record highs this year, driving the global spread of K-food. Ramen exports have already reached an all-time high, while rice-based processed foods, including frozen gimbap and tteokbokki, are on track to surpass 500 billion won in exports for the first time. China and the United States of America (U.S.) are competing to be the largest markets for K-Bunsik exports.
According to export–import trade statistics from the Korea Customs Service (KCS) on the 23rd, cumulative ramen exports for January–February this year reached $269.84 million, a sharp 18% increase from a year earlier. This is the largest export value ever recorded for the January–February period. Monthly exports came to $129.67 million in January and $140.16 million in February. Over the same period, imports were $1.23 million and $1.22 million, respectively. As a result, ramen posted a trade surplus of $267.38 million in the first two months of the year.
By country, China was the largest export destination at $48.92 million, followed by the U.S. at $47.52 million, the Netherlands at $16.63 million, the United Kingdom at $15.05 million, and Japan at $13.45 million.
Ramen exports have steadily grown over the past five years, leading the expansion of K-food abroad. By year, exports were $674.40 million in 2021, $765.41 million in 2022, $952.40 million in 2023, $1.24838 billion in 2024, and $1.52085 billion last year. Each year has set a new record high.
Exports of rice-based processed foods, including frozen gimbap and tteokbokki, are also soaring and have emerged as star performers among K-food export items. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), exports of rice-based processed foods jumped from $164 million in 2021 to $181 million in 2022, $217 million in 2023, $290 million in 2024, and $315 million last year. If this trend continues, industry officials expect exports of rice-based processed foods to surpass 500 billion won for the first time this year.
An industry official said, “K-Bunsik has moved beyond a simple fad and is now firmly established as a ‘lifestyle’ in the global market.” The official added, “For sustainable growth, we need to enhance trust in product quality through systems such as Korea Gluten-Free Certification and strengthen localization strategies that make use of local ingredients.”
ssuccu@fnnews.com Kim Seo-yeon Reporter