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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, October 29, 2025 — Despite the worldwide popularity of K-food such as instant noodles, gimbap, and kimchi, South Korea’s overall agri-food trade deficit has ballooned to KRW 284 trillion (USD 197.5 billion) over the past decade, according to new government data.
Rep. Jeong Hee-yong of the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee revealed on Tuesday that, based on data submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), South Korea recorded a cumulative agri-food (including processed goods) trade deficit of USD 197.53 billion between 2016 and August 2025.
By country, the United States accounted for the largest deficit at USD 52.63 billion (KRW 75.8 trillion), followed by Australia (KRW 32 trillion), China (KRW 28 trillion), Brazil (KRW 22 trillion), and Indonesia (KRW 15 trillion).
Trade with the United States has been particularly affected by tariff-related issues, leading to a sharp drop in exports. In July 2025, South Korea’s agri-food exports to the U.S. totaled USD 139 million, down 6.7% year-on-year, while August exports fell 4.4%, marking the first decline in 26 months.
Rep. Jeong commented that the figures reveal “a structural imbalance in South Korea’s agricultural trade despite the global success of Korean food products,” urging stronger measures to enhance food self-sufficiency and export competitiveness.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
