South Korea's Rice Cake Exports Reach New Heights in 2024
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Synopsis
In 2024, South Korea's traditional rice cake exports achieved a new record, reaching $91.4 million, a 17.5% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to the global rise in popularity of Korean cuisine, especially tteokbokki, a well-known street food.
Key Takeaways
- Rice cake exports from South Korea hit a record high of US$91.4 million in 2024.
- Exports rose 17.5% from the previous year.
- The United States was the top importer, with exports totaling $34 million.
- Kimchi exports also increased, reaching a record 47,100 tons.
- The global interest in Korean cuisine is driving these trends.
Seoul, Jan 29 (NationPress) Exports of traditional rice cakes from South Korea have soared to a new record in 2024, as evidenced by recent data released on Wednesday, fueled by the increasing global enthusiasm for Korean cuisine.
According to figures compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, outbound shipments of rice cakes hit US$91.4 million this year, marking a notable 17.5 percent increase compared to the previous year, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
This new record is a significant rise from the $34.3 million recorded in 2019.
In terms of destinations, exports to the United States reached $34 million, followed by the Netherlands at $8 million and Vietnam at $6.7 million.
The ministry specifically credited the surge in rice cake shipments to the rising fame of “tteokbokki,” a popular spicy street food featuring rice cakes.
“With the increasing trend of home meal replacements and the global influence of Korean entertainment, the demand for tteokbokki has surged,” stated an official from the agricultural ministry.
Recently, the Oxford English Dictionary added tteokbokki to its entries, defining it as “a Korean dish consisting of small, cylindrical rice cakes cooked in a spicy sauce made with gochujang, usually served as a snack (often as street food).”
In addition, exports of kimchi also saw a rise of 6.9 percent from the previous year, reaching a record high in 2024, propelled by the growing global interest in Korean food, according to government statistics.
Outbound shipments of kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish typically made from fermented cabbage, reached a new high of 47,100 tons, as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
In 2023, kimchi exports totaled 44,000 tonnes, while 2022 saw 41,100 tons. The value of kimchi exports also reached a new record of US$163.6 million in 2024, showing a 5.2 percent increase from the prior year.
South Korea exported kimchi to 95 nations last year, with Japan being the largest importer, followed by the United States and the Netherlands.
