Crunchy K-Snacks Hit 1 Trillion Won in Exports as Global Craze Grows
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Korean snacks are going global: 2024 data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows K-snack exports rose 17% to about 1.02 trillion won. Viral munching videos on YouTube and TikTok helped spark demand overseas. Stars of the boom include Orion’s Kkobuk Chip (꼬북칩) with its layered, crunchy texture and popular “Choco Churros” flavor, Nongshim’s shrimp-flavored Saeukkang (새우깡) dominating Japan and Southeast Asia, Haitai’s Honey Butter Chip (허니버터칩), and Lotte’s Pepero (빼빼로). K-snack distribution now spans five continents—Kkobuk Chip reached South Africa and the UAE, Saeukkang is sold in 76 countries, and Honey Butter Chip in 20. Beyond hit items, snacks inspired by traditional Korean flavors like gim-bugak (김부각), yakgwa (약과), and tteokbokki (떡볶이) are building niche international followings. Industry voices caution that sustaining growth requires long-term strategies—studying regional tastes, competing with global snack giants, and focusing on quality and trust to make the boom lasting rather than a fleeting trend.
