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South Korea's K-Food Exports Hit Record $13.6B in 2025, Ramyeon Leads Surge

South Korea's exports of food and agriculture-related products reached a historic high of $13.62 billion in 2025, marking a 5.1% annual increase. The growth was powered by record shipments of instant noodles (ramyeon), which soared past $1.5 billion, along with strong performances from sauces, kimchi, ice cream, and fruits. Agricultural and food product exports alone exceeded $10.41 billion, achieving ten consecutive years of growth. Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate steady to support the national currency and property market.

Key Points: S. Korea Food Exports Hit Record High in 2025

  • Record $13.62B in total exports
  • Ramyeon exports surge 21.9% to $1.5B
  • 10th straight year of growth for agri-food
  • BOK expected to hold rate to support currency
2 min read

S. Korea's food exports hit record high in 2025

South Korea's food & agriculture exports reached a record $13.62 billion in 2025, driven by ramyeon, sauces, kimchi, and fruits.

"Ramyeon exports hit $1.5 billion for the first time, surging 21.9 per cent - Ministry of Agriculture"

Seoul, Jan 12

South Korea's exports of food and agriculture-related products reached a record high of $13.62 billion in 2025, driven by the global popularity of Korean food products, such as "ramyeon" noodles, sauces and fruits, the agriculture ministry said on Monday.

Exports in the "K-Food Plus" sector expanded 5.1 percent from a year earlier to the new annual high, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. K-Food Plus is a term coined by the local government to promote exports of Korean food and agricultural goods, including farm machinery and veterinary medicine, reports Yonhap news agency.

In detail, outbound shipments of agricultural and food products rose 4.3 per cent on-year to $10.41 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time and marking the 10th consecutive year of on-year increase.

Exports of agriculture industry-related products, such as farm machinery and veterinary medicine, jumped 8 percent on-year to the highest-ever figure of $3.22 billion last year, according to the ministry.

The ministry attributed the strong performance in food exports to record outbound shipments of Korean instant noodle products, also known as "ramyeon," and 11 other products, including sauces, kimchi, ice cream, strawberries and pork.

Ramyeon exports hit $1.5 billion for the first time, surging 21.9 per cent from a year earlier, while exports of sauces climbed 4.6 per cent to $411.9 million.

Shipments of ice cream jumped 21.6 per cent to $111.3 million and grape exports soared 46.3 per cent to $84.7 million. Exports of strawberries grew 4 per cent to $72 million.

Meanwhile, the South Korean central bank is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged this week in a bid to support the weakening currency and ease an unsettled property market, a poll showed on Monday.

According to a survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial news arm of Yonhap News Agency, all 25 local analysts and experts polled said the Bank of Korea (BOK) will leave its benchmark rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent at its policy meeting Thursday.

A separate Yonhap News Agency survey of six additional experts also found unanimous expectations for a rate freeze this month.

The BOK's Monetary Policy Board has held the key rate steady for four consecutive meetings through November, though the central bank entered an easing cycle in October 2024.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
$1.5 billion just from instant noodles! That's mind-blowing. Korean pop culture (K-dramas, K-pop) really paved the way for their food exports. When our actors eat a snack in a Bollywood movie, it sells out the next day. We have that power too, but need a coordinated strategy from the government and industry.
A
Aman W
While this success is commendable, I hope we are also focusing on our own agricultural exports. Our mangoes, basmati rice, and spices are world-class. The "K-Food Plus" model, which includes farm machinery, is smart. Our MSMEs in food processing and packaging need similar targeted support to scale up.
S
Sarah B
Living in Delhi, I've seen the Korean food wave firsthand. But honestly, Indian food is far more diverse and flavourful. The gap seems to be in global marketing, standardized packaging, and meeting international food safety regulations consistently. That's where the focus should be.
V
Vikram M
Strawberries and grapes exports soaring too! It shows they're not just about packaged food but also high-quality fresh produce. Our farmers in Maharashtra and Himachal grow amazing fruits. If we can improve cold chain logistics and branding, we can definitely compete in this space. Jai Kisan!
K
Karthik V
A respectful criticism: We often celebrate others' success but are slow to act. Korea built this over a decade (10th consecutive year of growth). We need long-term policy stability for agriculture and food processing, not just short-term schemes. Let's learn and adapt their persistence to our context.

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