Monthly trade infographics

Kimchi on track for first trade surplus in 12 years

Selected as the most enjoyed K-food overseas, annual exports of the spicy condiment are set to hit a fresh high

Dec 09, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)

2 Min read

Kimchi exports hit record high

Kimchi, Korea’s traditional fermented food, is raising its status in the global food market. Korea exported $136.6 million worth of kimchi from January to October of this year, following exports of $144.5 million last year. On track to hit a record high for the year, Korea’s kimchi exports are expected to see their first trade surplus in 12 years since the global financial crisis.

Source: Korea Customs Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Korea Rural Economic Institute

It’s kimchi, not pao cai

A state-run Chinese outlet has announced that kimchi falls under the international classification of Chinese pao cai (泡菜). But the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the global body that develops and publishes international standards for food, has stated that the classification of pao cai doesn’t apply to kimchi. Kimchi has been acknowledged as a food unique to Korea. The food name became a proper noun in 2001, when Codex Alimentarius, an international food standard body founded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and the Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), certified kimchi as an internationally standardized food.

Exports and imports of kimchi

Unit: Million dollars

Source: Korea Customs Service

Kimchi, the most enjoyed Korean food in the world

Kimchi is the most frequently enjoyed Korean food by overseas consumers, according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea. The report said that kimchi has garnered attention during the pandemic as an immunity-boosting condiment.

The Korean food foreigners love

Fried chicken

13.3%

Kimchi

11.9%

Bibimbap

10.3%

The Korean food foreigners most often eat

Kimchi

33.6%

Bibimbap

27.8%

Fried chicken

26.9%

The five biggest importers of kimchi in 2021

Unit: tons

Why overseas consumers love Korean kimchi

According to a survey by Korea Rural Economic Institute, 50.4% of 1,500 Japanese respondents said they love Korean cabbage kimchi because it tastes great. Out of 700 Taiwanese respondents, 46.6% said they love the food as kimchi is the traditional food of Korea, followed by 42.7% who said they love it because it tastes good.

Source: Korea Rural Economic Institute