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3 kinds of frozen gimbap. (photo = Sajodaerim) |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Minyoung] Over the past seven months of this year, Korea's agricultural and food exports have approached 7.8 trillion won, marking the highest amount ever recorded. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the export value from January to last month was estimated at $5.67 billion (approximately 7.77 trillion won), a 9.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
The top export item was ramen, with export values reaching $700 million (about 959.7 billion won), a 34.0% increase from the previous year.
Next, exports of tobacco products (both traditional and electronic) amounted to $636 million (about 872 billion won), up by 9.0%, while snack exports increased by 14.7% to $424 million (about 581.3 billion won).
Beverage exports rose by 11.8% to $388 million, and exports of coffee products ($197 million) and ginseng ($179 million) increased by 3.2% and 5.0%, respectively.
Exports of rice-based processed foods, such as instant rice and frozen kimbap, saw a significant 45.7% increase to $165 million, driven by growing interest in health foods and Korean Wave. Kimchi exports also grew by 3.7% to $97 million.
알파경제 Kim Minyoung (kimmy@alphabiz.co.kr)
