Ramen Drives Growth as Health Supplements Boost K-Food+ Exports 5.7%
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
South Korea’s K-Food+ exports rose 5.7% year‑to‑date through October to $11.24 billion, driven by strong sales of ramen and health functional foods (health supplements). K-Food+ includes agricultural foods plus agri-industry products like animal pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and fertilizers. Korea’s food exports grew 5.0% to $8.59 billion, with fastest regional gains in the Middle East (GCC), the EU (+UK), and North America. From July to October, growth was especially strong in the Middle East and Greater China; key rising items included ramen (popularity fueled by spicy stir-fry noodles and K-content marketing), processed health products, coffee products, kimchi (fermented food), grapes, and ice cream. Agricultural industry exports rose 7.8% to $2.64 billion, led by animal drugs, pesticides, seeds (notably Korean pepper seeds), and lysine as Europe shifts away from Chinese supply. The agriculture ministry plans continued support—financing, logistics, customs, retail promotions, and K-pop/K-content linked marketing—to reach a year-end K-Food+ export target of $14 billion.
