Korea Enthralled by Parties... Festival Supplies Import Value Hits Record High

Surge in Imports of Festival and Party Supplies... Record High Achieved
Impact of Social Distancing Lifted... Sharp Increase in Suppressed Gathering Demand

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The import value of festival and party supplies from January to November this year has reached an all-time high. This is analyzed to be due to the activation of gatherings such as festivals and parties after the social distancing measures were lifted.

According to the Korea Customs Service on the 29th, the import value of festival and party supplies from January to November this year was $64 million, a sharp increase of 31.7% compared to the same period last year. It is $8 million more than last year's annual import value ($56 million), which was the highest on record. Compared to the import value of festival and party supplies from January to November 2019, before the spread of COVID-19, it is about 1.8 times larger.

Specifically, the import value of Christmas supplies was $37 million, accounting for about 58% of the total import value of festival and party supplies. The import value of Christmas supplies from January to November this year ($37 million) increased by 15.9% compared to the same period last year. During the same period, the import value of other festival supplies was $27 million, an increase of 61.2%. Last year, the import value of Christmas supplies surged by 63% compared to the previous year, while this year, the import value of other festival supplies increased significantly.

The record high import value of festival and party supplies is interpreted as an effect of the 'With Corona' policy and the increased demand for gatherings that had been suppressed. A Korea Customs Service official explained, "Last year, due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, small home parties became popular, increasing the demand for Christmas decorations and the like," adding, "This year, after the lifting of social distancing, festivals and gatherings have fully resumed, leading to increased demand for various festival and party supplies."

Meanwhile, 94% of the festival and party supplies imported by Korea were made in China. The import value of Chinese festival and party supplies from January to November this year was $59.7 million, an increase of 27.1% compared to the same period last year. This was followed by the United States ($2.5 million) and Germany ($300,000).

As the coldest subzero weather of the year continues, on the 23rd, just before Christmas, citizens and tourists dressed in thick clothing are passing by a Santa Claus figure installed in the garden of a hotel in Myeongdong, Seoul. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

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