Premium Gwangju Kimchi Hits American Tables

Poetry, U.S. Export Loading Ceremony at Gwangju Kimchi Town
4 Local Companies... 4.3t Worth $24,500

From the 18th to the 20th, the 31st Gwangju Kimchi Festival was held at the lawn square of Gwangju City Hall, where Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju is seen visiting booths selling kimchi.
[Photo by Gwangju City]

On the 23rd, Gwangju City held the 'Gwangju Kimchi Export Loading Ceremony to Los Angeles, USA' at Gwangju Kimchi Town in Imaam-dong, Nam-gu, the city announced on the 24th.

The city promoted exports to the United States in collaboration with the World Kimchi Research Institute and the Global Korean Food Federation, with participation from four local kimchi companies: Haedamchon Co., Ltd., Chaejayeon Co., Ltd., Bitgoeul Kimchi, and Jesukgeun Workplace.

The total export volume amounts to 4.3 tons, valued at $24,500. This export includes a variety of premium Gwangju kimchi varieties on American tables, such as napa cabbage kimchi, mustard leaf kimchi, as well as newly added chonggak kimchi and aged kimchi. Notably, Gwangju kimchi is exported at prices higher than typical kimchi export prices, with napa cabbage kimchi priced at 7,000 KRW per kg and mustard leaf kimchi at 8,000 KRW per kg, reflecting its recognized quality and taste.

Joo Jae-hee, Director of the Economic Startup Bureau of Gwangju City, stated, “Gwangju kimchi exported to Los Angeles is traditional Jeolla-do style kimchi, and despite the high price, it has been steadily exported since 2022,” adding, “We will actively strive to expand Gwangju kimchi from LA as a base to the entire Americas.”

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