"K-pop Demon Hunters" and other global K-content are riding the wave, and K-food exports are soaring alongside.
According to the Korea Customs Service on the 28th, cumulative K-food exports in the third quarter of this year came to $8.48 billion, up 8.9% from a year earlier. This is the highest performance for the same period on record.
The Korea Customs Service analyzed that the global success of Netflix series such as Squid Game and K-pop Demon Hunters led to an increase in K-food exports. It added that with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju, recognition of K-food will rise further and is expected to have a positive impact on future exports.
By item, processed foods, which account for more than 60% of total K-food exports, led the increase, rising 6.7% on-year to $5.2 billion. Seafood exports were $2.33 billion, up 11.2% from a year earlier. Agricultural and livestock products were $938 million, up 16% on-year.
By detailed item, instant noodles rose 24.5% on-year to $1.13 billion. Gim, which has established itself as a global health food, also increased 14.0% to $880 million. Even livestock products, long considered only as imports, posted exports of $280 million, up 50.3% on-year.
In addition, exports increased for confectionery including "traditional hangwa" (+2.0%); coffee preparations such as "mix coffee," an everyday palate cleanser (+15.8%); sauces including fermented foods "gochujang and doenjang" (+7.2%); and various beverages (+2.6%).
By country, the United States ($1.6 billion, +13.1%), China ($1.5 billion, +12.5%), and Japan ($1.16 billion, +6.7%) together accounted for more than half (50.2%) of total exports. In particular, exports to the United States increased despite the Trump administration's tariff policy. There is an assessment that K-food's quality competitiveness broke through the high tariff barrier.
An official at the Korea Customs Service said, "During the APEC summit, we plan to actively introduce popular foods such as fried chicken, instant noodles, tteokbokki, sundae, and hangwa not only to the leaders of each country but also to foreign media," adding, "The Korea Customs Service will also actively support K-food export corporations."