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South Korea's culinary charm has captivated taste buds worldwide, and it's not just about kimchi and ramyeon anymore. The country's bakery-related exports reached a record $440 million this year, showcasing the world's growing appetite for Korean snacks, pies, and unique treats like steamed buns and fish-shaped pastries. With K-pop and K-dramas paving the way for cultural influence, Korean food products are finding enthusiastic fans across borders, particularly in the United States, China, and Japan.
South Korea's exports of bakery-related products, such as snacks, reached a record high this year, bolstered by the growing global popularity of Korean culture and cuisine, the customs agency said on Tuesday. Outbound shipments of bakery products came to an all-time high of $440 million in the January-November period, up 8.3 per cent from the same period last year, according to data from the Korea Customs Service.
var taboola_mid_article_type = '1'; Snacks accounted for the largest share of the exports, representing 72.5 per cent of the total, reports Yonhap news agency. Notably, exports of baked goods such as pies surged 18.
9 per cent on-year, driven by the appeal of unique items such as steamed buns and fish-shaped pastries. The agency attributed the growth to the rising influence of K-pop culture, which has sparked heightened global interest in the local cuisine. By destination, the United States ranked as the top importer, accounting for 33.
5 per cent of South Korea's bakery product exports, followed by China and Japan. Meanwhile, South Korea's exports of agricultural products reached a record high during the first nine months of 2024, led by strong demand for instant noodles, snacks and beverage products. Outbound shipments of agricultural goods rose 8.
3 percent on-year to come to $7.38 billion in the January-September period, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It marked a record for any nine-month figure, it added.
The growth was mainly led by strong demand for instant noodles, or "ramyeon" in Korean, as their exports jumped 29.6 percent on-year to $938 million, a record high. Last year's total ramyeon exports were $952 million.
Exports of snacks gained 15.5 per cent on-year to $560 million during the January-September period, and those of beverage products climbed 13.6 per cent to $557 million.
Processed rice products, such as gimbap, cooked rice and tteokbokki, soared 41.6 per cent to $217.9 million, which already surpassed last year's total sales of $217.
2 million. South Korea's bakery boom is a testament to the global resonance of its culture and cuisine. As K-food continues to thrive on the international stage, it's clear that Korean snacks and baked goods are more than just exports-they're ambassadors of a rich, vibrant culture that delights the world, one bite at a time.
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