South Korea's food exports hit record $7.24 billion in first half

South Korea's agricultural and fishery food exports reached a record $7.24 billion in the first half of the year, up 8.8% from the same period a year earlier, the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT) said. The state agency, headed by president Hong Moon-pyo, said the figure was an all-time high achieved despite global economic uncertainty, tensions in the Middle East and logistics disruptions.

According to consumertimes.kr, aT attributed the increase to a combination of factors: rising overseas awareness driven by the spread of Korean content, improved quarantine conditions, expanded local distribution networks and market-specific support.

Instant noodles and chicken lead the gains

Instant noodles were the single largest driver. Exports rose 27.9% year on year to $935.4 million, the report said, as a consumption culture of preparing noodles directly at overseas convenience stores and hypermarkets spread and demand held up on the back of Korean content's popularity.

Chicken recorded the sharpest move. Exports to the European Union and the United Kingdom surged 721% from a year earlier, after frozen processed products such as dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken) entered large local retail chains late last year.

Fresh produce and seafood expand

Tomato exports climbed 18.6% to $4.6 million, helped by expanded supply to Japanese convenience stores and new buyers in Canada. aT said Japan's resolution of pest quarantine rules in June had raised expectations for further growth. In seafood, seaweed exports to the United States rose 13.8% on a tariff cut for seasoned seaweed and higher consumption, while oyster exports to Japan jumped 56.1% as reduced Japanese output lifted demand for alternatives.

Market diversification and second-half outlook

Exporters also broadened beyond established markets. Cabbage exports to Taiwan rose 63.6%, pork to Singapore climbed 364.2% and ice cream to Canada increased 44.4%, the report said.

For the second half, aT plans to concentrate support on high-growth products and markets. It will help grapes obtain certification for entry into large U.S. retail chains and expand launch events and promotions in the Philippines, where quarantine negotiations recently opened the market. The agency also plans briefings on regulatory changes in key destinations, including Vietnam's revised food safety law and Indonesia's mandatory halal certification due in October. Jeon Gi-chan, aT's export food director, said the agency would focus its resources on high-potential items and markets to expand K-food exports and strengthen company competitiveness.