South Korea’s K-Food+ exports reach record $7.0451 billion in first half
South Korea’s K-Food+ exports reached a first-half record of $7.0451 billion as food and agricultural-industry shipments grew together. The government is targeting $16 billion by expanding into the Middle East, Latin America and Europe and supporting technology and service exports alongside physical products.
Food and agricultural-industry exports set a record
South Korea’s K-Food+ exports reached $7.0451 billion in the first half, the highest level recorded for that period. The result covers both agricultural and food products and the wider agricultural industry, with both parts of the export portfolio contributing to growth.
The performance came despite uncertainty in global trade, supply-chain instability and higher exchange-rate and logistics costs. These pressures can reduce exporters’ margins and make delivery schedules less predictable, particularly for smaller producers trying to enter distant markets.
K-Food+ is broader than a conventional food-export campaign. It combines food and agricultural products with agricultural technology and services, giving South Korea a way to sell both consumer goods and industry capabilities abroad.
FTAs and Korean culture widen the market
Free trade agreements have increased the number of accessible markets, while the international spread of Korean culture has strengthened recognition of Korean products. The export drive is now extending beyond established destinations into the Middle East, Latin America and Europe.
For food manufacturers, wider geographic coverage reduces dependence on a limited group of markets. It also creates new requirements involving local tastes, packaging, certification, distribution and shelf life. Importers and distributors will determine whether initial consumer interest becomes repeat demand.
Ramen is the campaign’s clearest reference point for a Korean product that has built broad international demand. Authorities and companies are accelerating efforts to identify a “second ramen”: another product capable of achieving comparable recognition and scale in overseas markets.
Government backs a $16 billion target
The government is pursuing a K-Food+ export target of $16 billion. It has allocated 707 billion won and is activating a joint public-private planning group to coordinate the next phase of the campaign.
The strategy is moving beyond higher volumes of packaged food. Agricultural technology and services are also being positioned for export, potentially widening the range of participating companies to include equipment suppliers, technology developers and specialist service providers.
Reaching the target will depend on converting cultural visibility and preferential trade access into durable commercial channels. Producers must maintain supply and adapt products, while traders and importers need reliable pricing, logistics and local distribution. The first-half record provides momentum, but higher freight costs, currency movements and supply-chain disruption remain direct risks to expansion.