South Korea's agricultural and fisheries food exports surpassed $10 billion (about 13.4 trillion won) in the first 253 days of this year, the fastest pace on record, as global appetite for K-food continues to grow.
The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT) said on the 14th that exports crossed the $10 billion mark 19 days earlier than last year. Since first topping $10 billion in 2021, the country has reached the threshold earlier each year.
By destination, exports to the United States, the largest market, rose 12.9% from a year earlier to $1.81 billion. Shipments to China climbed 14.0% to $1.67 billion. Exports to the United Arab Emirates jumped 49.9% to $331.71 million, while those to the Netherlands rose 14.4% to $229.55 million.
By product, instant noodle exports posted the largest gain, rising 27.2% to $1.31 billion. Strawberry exports rose 15.5% to $60.98 million and grape exports surged 64.6% to $45.18 million.
Fresh produce also saw sharp growth alongside processed foods. According to the Korea Agricultural Trade Information (KATI) service, strawberry exports totaled $59.74 million in the January-July period, up 15.8% from a year earlier. Grape and oriental melon exports rose 34.4% and 7.0%, respectively. Strawberry shipments centered on premium varieties that command higher prices, while grape exports were led by Shine Muscat.
Among fisheries products, exports of seasoned laver — nicknamed the "black semiconductor" — rose 8.0% to $462.65 million, and oyster exports increased 8.2% to $65.60 million.
The government and aT plan to continue export support in the second half to achieve a record annual total. They will identify strategic products tailored to consumption patterns in regions such as the United States and Southeast Asia, and support expanded shipments of fresh grapes. Logistics infrastructure will also be expanded through a multipurpose distribution hub in Vietnam and a joint cold-chain project in the Middle East.
To address non-tariff barriers such as European Union packaging rules and Indonesia's mandatory halal certification, a one-stop export support system involving 15 related organizations will be operated.
"Reaching $10 billion ahead of schedule shows that K-food exports are growing," said Jeon Ki-chan, executive director for food exports at aT. "We will expand our export items and markets so that interest driven by the popularity of Korean content translates into repeat purchases by local consumers rather than a passing trend."
Overseas interest in Korean food more broadly continues to build. In the 2026 Global Hallyu Survey released in March by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, based on 2025 data, 69.7% of 27,400 respondents across 30 countries who had experienced Korean cultural content responded positively to it. Respondents named food as the most popular Korean cultural genre in their own countries, at 55.1%. The share who said they had actually tried Korean food, 78.0%, exceeded that for films (77.9%), television dramas (72.9%) and music (71.9%).
