[Photo] Kimchi exports on the rise

Exports of Korea’s most famous dish continue to show promising numbers. According to the Korea Customs Service (KCS), South Korea exported US$78.36 million (22,149 tons) worth of kimchi from January to September of this year, compared to US$70.36 million (20,311) for the same period last year. Such figures are planting hopes that kimchi exports for 2019 could surpass US$100 million (30,000 tons). Companies are also expected to diversify export markets, compared to a previous focus on Japan. Japan accounted for 68.6% of kimchi exports on 2014, but this figure dropped to 58% in 2018. Conversely, the US accounted for 5.2% of kimchi exports in 2014, which increased to 9.1% in 2018.