South Korea: Kimchi imports far exceed exports

VTV.vn - In Korea, more and more people are consuming kimchi produced in China, making it likely that Korea will continue to have a kimchi trade deficit.

Global demand for Korean kimchi continues to grow

When it comes to Korean cuisine , almost everyone will remember kimchi - the famous traditional dish of this country. But the paradox is that this country is witnessing a "trade deficit" in kimchi - meaning that the export of this item is even lower than the import.

According to data from South Korean authorities, the country's kimchi imports in the first 10 months of the year reached nearly 160 million USD, up more than 3% compared to the same period last year and significantly larger than the kimchi export turnover in the same period of about 138 million USD. Persistent inflation, with domestic cabbage prices soaring due to harsh weather, is seen as a major factor that continues to boost demand for cheap kimchi imports, especially from China.

China's kimchi imports hit a record $189.86 million last year, up 16.1% from 2023. Meanwhile, the amount of kimchi produced in South Korea is expected to hit a new record this year, surpassing the all-time high set in 2024.

"We will work to develop the kimchi industry into a future-oriented export industry and help solidify kimchi's status as a global food brand," Agriculture Minister Song Mi Ryung said.

Exports totaled $163.57 million in 2024, double the 2017 figure, and have been growing steadily thanks to growing global interest in Korean food and heightened health awareness during the pandemic. Exports reached $148.12 million in 2022, $155.6 million in 2023, and then set a new record last year.

Japan remains the largest market for Korean kimchi, with imports reaching $47.55 million as of last month, up 4.4% year-on-year. The U.S. imported $36.01 million, down 5.8%, marking a notable shift for a market that has seen rapid growth since 2019.

In Europe, the Netherlands imported $7.97 million, down 3.3%. Canada imported $7.63 million, up 17.6%, while Australia's imports increased slightly to $6.68 million.

Source: https://vtv.vn/han-quoc-nhap-khau-kim-chi-vuot-xa-xuat-khau-100251125180024833.htm