'Korean Kimchi' Captivating Global Taste Buds... 2nd Largest Export Country is the 'United States', Who is 1st?

Kimchi Exports Reach $130 Million from January to October This Year
Rising Kimchi Popularity Leads to 'Kimchi Day' Celebrations Worldwide

With Kimchi Day approaching on the 22nd, the global popularity of Korean kimchi has surged, leading to the number of export countries surpassing 90 for the first time ever this year.

According to trade statistics from the Korea Customs Service on the 21st, the number of countries exporting kimchi from January to October this year reached a record high of 93, including Japan and the United States. This is the first time the number of kimchi export countries has exceeded 90, an increase of 32 countries compared to 61 in 2013, ten years ago. The number of kimchi export countries peaked at 89 in 2021 during the COVID-19 boom, slightly decreased to 87 last year, and has risen again this year.

From January to October this year, kimchi export value increased by 10.1% compared to the same period last year, reaching $130.59 million, and export volume rose by 7.2% to 37,110 tons. If this upward trend continues, it is expected to surpass the record high set in 2021.

During this period, by export country, Japan ranked first with 40.5% of the total export value ($52.84 million). It was followed by the United States ($33.31 million), the Netherlands ($6.14 million), the United Kingdom ($4.94 million), Hong Kong ($4.90 million), Taiwan ($4.75 million), Australia ($4.66 million), Canada ($4.37 million), and Singapore ($2.55 million).

Among the top 10 kimchi export countries, five Western countries including the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada are included. The export growth rate in Western countries is faster than that of traditional export countries such as Japan or Southeast Asian countries.

As kimchi gains popularity worldwide, the number of regions commemorating "Kimchi Day" (November 22 annually) is increasing. In the United States, following California in August 2021, Virginia and New York have also established Kimchi Day. In Brazil, S?o Paulo city, and in the United Kingdom, the Royal Borough of Kingston have designated Kimchi Day.

Kimchi Day is a legally designated commemorative day established in 2020 to promote the value and importance of kimchi.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to hold the "2023 4th Kimchi Day Commemoration Ceremony" at the aT Center in Seoul on the 22nd. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the registration of kimjang culture as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In addition to the ceremony, various programs will be presented, including a special exhibition for the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO registration, an exhibition of award-winning works from the kimchi appraisal and cooking contest, a reenactment performance of kimjang culture, a kimchi science talk concert, and a kimchi technology exchange exhibition.

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