What Factors Contributed to South Korea's 5% Rise in Agricultural and Food Exports This Year?
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Synopsis
South Korea's agricultural and food exports have risen by 5% in 2025, driven by increasing demand from the Middle East, EU, and North America. Key products like ramyeon and ice cream saw significant growth. This article explores the factors contributing to this surge and the implications for South Korea's economy.
Key Takeaways
- South Korea's agricultural and food exports rose by 5% in 2025.
- Demand from the Middle East, EU, and North America was a major factor.
- Ramyeon exports surged by 21.7% during July-October.
- Ice cream and beverages also saw significant export growth.
- U.S. tariffs impacted exports to the United States.
Seoul, Nov 7 (NationPress) South Korea's exports of agricultural and food products saw a notable increase of 5 percent in the first ten months of 2025 compared to the previous year, fueled by strong demand from the Middle East, the European Union (EU), and North America, according to data released on Friday.
Outbound shipments of these products amounted to US$8.59 billion from January to October, up from $8.18 billion the prior year, as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and covered by Yonhap news agency.
Shipments to the Middle East experienced a remarkable surge of 20.4 percent year-on-year during the ten-month span, with exports to the EU rising by 14.8 percent and to North America by 13.9 percent.
In the July-October timeframe, exports to the United States saw only a slight increase of 0.6 percent, likely due to rising U.S. tariffs, while shipments to the Middle East skyrocketed by 23.5 percent, thanks to high demand for Korean ice cream, beverages, and sauces, the data revealed.
Combined exports to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan grew by 7.7 percent year-on-year over the four-month period, highlighted by a staggering 62.9 percent increase in the shipment of instant noodles, known as ramyeon in Korean.
Overall, ramyeon exports climbed 21.7 percent year-on-year, reaching $520 million during the July-October period.
Shipments of coffee products rose by 21.3 percent to $130 million, while kimchi exports increased by 6.4 percent.
Exports of grapes and ice cream also saw significant increases, soaring by 50.9 percent and 22.1 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, South Korean stocks traded over 2 percent lower late Friday morning, as major tech shares mirrored losses from Wall Street, driven by concerns over an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble and employment issues.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell by 83.94 points, or 2.08 percent, to 3,942.51 as of 11:20 a.m.
Overnight, major U.S. indexes declined, reigniting fears over inflated valuations of AI stocks and revealing a cooling labor market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 0.84 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite dipped by 1.9 percent, and the S&P 500 dropped by 1.12 percent.
Point of View
I believe this growth in agricultural and food exports reflects the resilience and adaptability of South Korea's economy. The strong demand from diverse regions highlights the global appeal of Korean products. It’s crucial for our nation to continue fostering these relationships and explore new markets to sustain this momentum.
NationPress
07/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the percentage increase in South Korea's agricultural exports?
South Korea's agricultural and food exports increased by 5 percent in the first 10 months of 2025 compared to the previous year.
Which regions showed significant demand for South Korean food products?
The Middle East, European Union (EU), and North America showed strong demand for South Korean food products.
What were the key products contributing to the export growth?
Key products contributing to the export growth included ramyeon, ice cream, and beverages.
How much did ramyeon exports increase?
Ramyeon exports rose by 21.7 percent to $520 million in the July-October period.
What impact did U.S. tariffs have on exports?
U.S. tariffs contributed to a modest 0.6 percent increase in exports to the United States during the July-October period.
