Kimchi exports from South Korea are experiencing a significant surge this year, poised to potentially reach a historic peak. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – Kimchi exports from South Korea are experiencing a significant surge this year, poised to potentially reach a historic peak, according to industry observers.
The appeal of kimchi is growing in the United States and Europe, driven by its reputation as a “healthy” and “vegan” food, aligning with the global Hallyu phenomenon.
In honor of National Kimchi Day on November 22, overseas interest in kimchi is blossoming, marked by the inauguration of the inaugural kimchi museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.
As per trade data from the Korea Customs Service, kimchi exports between January and September this year amounted to $118.85 million, marking a robust 10.6 percent increase from the corresponding period last year. The volume of kimchi exports also witnessed an 8.1 percent uptick, totaling 33,828 tons.
Kimchi earned a reputation as a “corona special” due to its immune-boosting qualities in foreign markets during the pandemic. However, as the pandemic waned, exports declined by 11.9 percent to $148.86 million last year.
In contrast, the current year has witnessed a resurgence in the value and volume of kimchi exports, with the potential to surpass the record set in 2021. Korean kimchi is now recognized as a flagship representative of K-food in foreign markets.
The popularity of ‘K-Kimchi’ is especially notable in the United States and Europe.
During the first nine months of this year, kimchi exports to the U.S. were valued at $36.64 million, indicating a remarkable 41.2 percent increase from the same period last year. Meanwhile, exports to the Netherlands reached $5.51 million, reflecting an increase of 15.7 percent, surpassing the 3.1 percent increase to the largest importer of Korean kimchi, Japan, which totaled $48.77 million.
In recent years, the United States and Europe have exhibited more rapid growth in kimchi consumption compared to traditional export regions like Japan and Southeast Asia.
In the U.S., Korean kimchi has transitioned from being predominantly sold in Korean-American supermarkets to being readily available at mainstream retail channels such as Walmart and Costco.
The State of Georgia designates November 22 as ‘Kimchi Day’ (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
To underscore the popularity of K-Kimchi, several regions in the U.S. and Europe now celebrate “Kimchi Day” on November 22.
In the United States, states like California, Virginia, New York, and Washington, D.C., have officially established and proclaimed Kimchi Day. Furthermore, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to introduce a Kimchi Day resolution (H.R. 280) on December 6.
In a significant European development, the London Borough of Kingston in England has become the first in Europe to designate November 22 as Kimchi Day, which will be commemorated annually.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
