"Don't Trust Chinese Products" Kimchi Imports in July Down 27% Compared to Last Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] After a video showing unhygienic handling of salted napa cabbage in China spread, the preference against imported kimchi has expanded, causing last month's kimchi import volume to plummet by 27% compared to a year ago.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 16th that kimchi imports in July were recorded at 16,600 tons, a 27.0% decrease from the same month last year. Since the salted napa cabbage video from China was reported in March, kimchi imports have decreased for four consecutive months starting from April. The problematic video included scenes of napa cabbage being transported by a forklift and a shirtless man working in a pit.

Kimchi imports increased by 24.1% to 25,200 tons in March compared to the same month last year, but turned downward by 7.2% in April, followed by declines of -13.2% in May, -21.8% in June, and -27.0% in July, with the drop continuing to widen.

As both demand and supply of imported kimchi decreased, the number of restaurants voluntarily labeling domestic kimchi increased to about 7,300. The Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling System is a program where the Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling Committee certifies restaurants that use kimchi made from 100% domestic ingredients and provides a certification mark so consumers can easily recognize establishments certified for using domestic kimchi.

Last month's kimchi export value was $99.3 million, a 17.0% increase compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, last year's kimchi export value reached a record high of $144 million, and this year it continues to show favorable trends.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.