SEJONG: South Korea’s food exports rose 4.0% from a year earlier in the first quarter, supported by strong overseas demand for ramyeon, snacks, beverages and fresh fruit, according to provisional government data released on April 3. Food exports reached $2.5622 billion in the January to March period, up from $2.4639 billion a year earlier. Broader K-Food+ exports, which combine food products with agro-industry items such as farm machinery, veterinary medicines and smart-farm equipment, increased 3.5% to $3.3514 billion.
The quarterly rise was led by gains across several major regions, with exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council jumping 32.3% to $106.9 million. Shipments to the greater Chinese region climbed 14.5% to $568.9 million, while exports to North America rose 6.3% to $508.9 million. Sales to ASEAN countries increased 2.2% to $481.9 million, and exports to the European Union advanced 4.9% to $233.4 million, underscoring the breadth of demand across both established and fast-growing markets.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said March exports to the Middle East weakened as logistics conditions deteriorated and consumption softened amid regional conflict, but first-quarter shipments to the bloc still posted a sharp year-on-year increase. The ministry said strong exports in the first two months of the year helped lift the quarterly total despite the later slowdown. That left food exports on an upward track even as companies faced higher transport uncertainty and shifting conditions in one of the fastest-growing overseas destinations.
Processed foods anchor growth
Processed foods remained the main driver of South Korea’s food export growth in the quarter. Ramyeon exports surged 26.4% to $434.5 million, extending the category’s role as the country’s largest food export item. Snack exports rose 11.4% to $193.9 million, beverage shipments increased 4.5% to $163.7 million, and rice-processed foods, including instant rice and tteok products, climbed 9.4% to $69.3 million. Ice cream exports also strengthened, rising 18.0% to $31.2 million during the three-month period.
The ministry said the expansion in snacks, beverages and ice cream reflected continued overseas demand for lower-sugar, zero-sugar and plant-based offerings in several markets. Rice-processed foods also recorded stronger sales, helped by demand for gluten-free products in the United States and sustained interest in Korean street food across parts of Southeast Asia. In regional terms, exports of rice-processed foods rose 7.8% in the United States to $38.4 million and climbed 26.9% in ASEAN to $7.1 million, adding to the quarter’s broader food export gains.
Fresh fruit posts strong advances
Fresh produce also posted solid growth, with strawberries, grapes and pears all turning in double-digit increases. Strawberry exports rose 14.7% to $46.2 million, supported by higher shipments to Singapore and Thailand after production and quality improved following recovery efforts in key growing areas. Grape exports increased 24.6% to $17.3 million, with Taiwan remaining the largest market and recording a 72.1% jump to $9.1 million. Pear exports climbed 69.2% to $7.3 million, led by stronger shipments to the United States and Vietnam.
Within the broader K-Food+ category, agro-industry exports rose 2.1% to $789.2 million in the first quarter. Farm machinery exports increased 3.9% to $358.5 million, pesticide exports edged up 0.7% to $242.1 million, and fertilizer shipments advanced 6.2% to $120.1 million, while veterinary medicine exports fell 9.8% to $57.9 million. The ministry said it is collecting exporter concerns through meetings and a one-stop support hub while providing weekly logistics updates for the Middle East, as South Korea’s first-quarter figures showed food exports remained resilient despite regional disruption and cost pressures. – By Content Syndication Services.