The culinary charm of South Korea has mesmerized taste buds around the world, and it’s not just about kimchi and ramyeon anymore. The country’s bakery-related exports reached a record $440 million this year, reflecting the world’s growing appetite for Korean snacks, pies and unique delicacies such as steamed buns and fish-shaped pastries. With K-pop and K-dramas paving the way for cultural influence, Korean food products are gaining enthusiastic fans across borders, especially in the United States, China, and Japan.
South Korea’s exports of bakery-related products, such as snacks, hit a record high this year due to the growing global popularity of Korean culture and cuisine, the customs agency said Tuesday.
Outbound shipments of bakery products reached an all-time high of $440 million in the January-November period, up 8.3 percent from the same period last year, according to Korea Customs Service data.
According to the Yonhap news agency report, snacks have the largest share in exports, accounting for 72.5 percent of total exports. In particular, exports of baked goods such as pies increased by 18.9 percent year-on-year, due to the appeal of unique items such as steamed buns and fish-shaped pastries.
The agency attributed this growth to the growing influence of K-pop culture, which has increased global interest in local cuisine.
By destination, the United States ranked as the top importer, accounting for 33.5 percent of South Korea’s bakery product exports, followed by China and Japan.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s exports of agricultural products reached a record high during the first nine months of 2024, driven by strong demand for instant noodles, snacks and beverage products.
Outbound shipments of agricultural commodities rose 8.3 percent year-on-year to $7.38 billion in the January-September period, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It said this is a record for any nine-month figure.
The increase was mainly driven by strong demand for instant noodles, or “ramyeon” in Korean, as their exports increased 29.6 percent year-on-year to $938 million, a record high. Last year’s total ramyon exports were $952 million. During the January-September period, exports of snacks increased 15.5 percent year-on-year to $560 million and exports of beverage products increased 13.6 percent to $557 million.
Processed rice products, such as gimbap, cooked rice and tteokbokki, grew 41.6 percent to $217.9 million, surpassing last year’s total sales of $217.2 million.
South Korea’s bakery boom is a testament to the global resonance of its culture and cuisine. As K-food continues to flourish on the international stage, it’s clear that Korean snacks and baked goods are more than just exports – they’re ambassadors of a rich, vibrant culture that delights the world, one at a time. Piece.
