The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Oct. 22 said kimchi exports this year through September reached USD 18.5 million, a record annual high. (Korea.net DB)

By Xu Aiying and Lee Jihae

Exports of kimchi this year through September have set an annual record.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Oct. 22 said such exports from January to September reached USD 108.5 million, up 38.5% from the same period last year.

The nine-month performance eclipsed last year's worth USD 104.99 million and the previous yearly record set in 2012 of USD 106.61 million.

In 2012, about 80% of kimchi exports went to Japan. The number of overseas markets for the spicy condiment, however, has since grown to 82 including the U.S. and Australia.

The ministry said the export increase is thanks to localization of kimchi depending on an importing country's preferences and continuous support to connect large-scale distribution markets and sales promotions amid the global spread of Hallyu, including Korean food.

Fermented food has gained global popularity this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic as it helps the immune system. This is thus considered a contributing factor to the rise in kimchi exports.

In addition to kimchi, traditional pastes such as gochujang (red pepper paste), soybean paste and soy sauce from January to September this year saw exports rise 31% from the same period last year.

The main markets for Korean pastes have traditionally been the U.S., China and Japan, but Southeast Asia has recently imported far more of the pastes than before.

Paste exports to Thailand soared 123%, while those of gochujang to Malaysia skyrocketed 167%.

The ministry said the popularity of K-dramas featuring Korean cuisine has gotten Southeast Asians to try cooking Korean food at home, and this has fueled the boom in paste exports.

xuaiy@korea.kr