Agri-Food Exports Hit Record High of $8.2 Billion Through July... Grapes Targeted for $100 Million Milestone

Exports of K-Food+, which includes agricultural food, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, and animal pharmaceuticals, reached an all-time high for the January-July period this year.

The government plans to go all out in the second half of the year to achieve its annual export target of $16 billion.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) held the 3rd Public-Private Joint K-Food+ Export Task Force meeting at the Korea Press Center in Seoul today and announced strategies to expand exports in the second half.

K-Food+ exports from January to July rose 4.8% year-on-year to $8.25 billion (approx. 11.2 trillion won).

Instant noodles (ramyeon) surpassed $1 billion in exports in just seven months, leading processed food exports.

Grape exports increased by 35.0% compared to the same period last year, while pears and strawberries rose 55.2% and 15.7%, respectively, maintaining the upward trend in fresh agricultural exports.

By country, exports to the United States grew 9.8% to $1.18 billion, and exports to China increased 6.7% to $940 million.

Exports to the Middle East jumped 33.2%, driven by rising demand for cigarettes and health functional foods, while growth continued in Central and South America and European markets.

Viewing the second half—when shipments of fresh produce peak and major consumption events such as Thanksgiving and Black Friday are concentrated—as a critical period for meeting this year's export target, the ministry decided to intensively target key items and major overseas markets.

First, grapes will be intensively nurtured with the goal of becoming the first single fresh agricultural product from South Korea to reach $100 million in exports.

The ministry plans to expand local distribution networks in the U.S. and increase export volumes.

For strawberries, the focus will be on exporting premium products and pioneering emerging markets, while pear export markets will be diversified to include Taiwan and Vietnam.

In the processed food sector, exports of items with surging overseas demand, such as frozen gimbap and tteokbokki, will be expanded, and kimchi promotional events will be held in major countries in connection with Kimchi Day in November.

The ministry plans to strengthen promotional activities utilizing local distribution networks in traditional core markets like the U.S. and China, while also venturing into emerging markets such as Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

In addition, the ministry decided to expand financial support for export companies and proactively respond to non-tariff barriers, including regulatory changes and customs clearance issues in major countries.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.