Exports of South Korea’s bakery products hit record highs.

The allure of South Korean cuisine has captivated taste buds around the world, and it’s no longer just about kimchi and ramyun. The country’s bakery-related exports reached a record $440 million this year, reflecting the world’s growing appetite for unique foods like Korean snacks, pies, and steamed buns and fish-shaped pastries. With K-pop and K-dramas paving the way for cultural influence, Korean food products are finding enthusiastic fans across borders, especially in the US, China and Japan.

South Korea’s exports of bakery-related products, such as snacks, hit a record high this year, boosted by the growing global popularity of Korean culture and cuisine, the customs agency said on Tuesday.

Outbound shipments of bakery products hit a record high of $440 million in the January-November period, according to data from the Korea Customs Service. , which is 8.3 percent higher than the same period last year.

Snacks account for the largest share of exports, accounting for 72.5 percent of the total, Yonhap News Agency reported. Notably, exports of baked goods increased by 18.9 percent year-on-year, driven by unique items such as steamed buns and fish-shaped pastries.

The agency attributed the growth to the growing influence of K-pop culture, which has fueled global interest in local cuisine.

By destination, the United States ranks as the top importer, accounting for 33.5 percent of South Korea’s bakery product exports, followed by China and Japan.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s agricultural product exports hit a record high during the first nine months of 2024, driven by strong demand for instant noodles, snacks and beverage products.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, outbound shipments of agricultural goods rose 8.3 percent to $7.38 billion in the January-September period. It added that this is a record for any nine-month figure.

The growth was mainly driven by strong demand for instant noodles, or “ramyeon” in Korean, as their exports rose 29.6 percent year-on-year to $938 million, a record high. Last year, Remion’s total exports were $952 million. Exports of snacks rose 15.5 percent to $560 million from January to September, and exports of beverage products rose 13.6 percent to $557 million.

Processed rice products, such as gembap, cooked rice and teokboki, rose 41.6 percent to $217.9 million, already exceeding last year’s total sales of $217.2 million.

South Korea’s bakery boom is a testament to the global resonance of its culture and cuisine. As K-food continues to thrive on the international stage, it’s clear that Korean snacks and baked goods are more than just exports—they’re ambassadors of a rich, vibrant culture that delights the world, a Once in a while.