Cumulative food exports through Q3 rise 7.9% to $9.15 billion; instant noodles exceed $1.41 billion
Fresh grape exports surge 54.4%, while European and Latin American markets expand
While instant noodles continue to spearhead the growth of K-Food exports, momentum is increasingly broadening to include confectionery, processed rice products, and fresh fruits. While the United States and China remain the core export destinations, South Korean food exports are also gaining traction across select European and Latin American nations.
According to an analysis of data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation's (aT) KATI platform, exports of agricultural and fishery-based food products reached $9.15063 billion for the January–September period of 2026, marking a 7.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
Instant noodle exports totaled $1.41218 billion, up 25.5% year-on-year.
Robust growth was also evident in processed foods outside of instant noodles. Exports of biscuits, cookies, and crackers climbed 16.3% to $109.68 million, while pastries and cakes surged 33.4% to $58.04 million. Processed rice products, including instant rice, likewise recorded a 21.3% increase to $82.05 million.
Among fresh fruits, table grapes stood out with exceptional growth. Fresh grape exports for the first nine months jumped 54.4% year-on-year to $55.83 million.
Strawberry exports also rose 15.8% to $59.74 million. In contrast, pear exports declined 13.4% to $20.39 million, highlighting varying performance across individual fruit categories.
By country, the United States and China drove overall export expansion. Food exports to the U.S. grew 13.8% year-on-year to $1.81995 billion during the January–September period, while exports to China increased 10.6% to $1.65530 billion. Conversely, exports to Japan edged down 6.1% to $1.09067 billion.
European markets also demonstrated strong upward momentum. Exports to Germany advanced 32.6% to $124.79 million, followed by France up 31.6% to $108.26 million, and the United Kingdom up 23.3% to $125 million. The Netherlands also posted a 12.1% increase, reaching $232.11 million.
South Korean food conglomerates are actively broadening their European distribution networks. CJ CheilJedang is currently retailing its Bibigo product line through major European distribution channels such as France’s Carrefour and the UK’s Ocado, while Nongshim is expanding its local footprint via British retailer Tesco and Germany’s Rewe. Samyang Foods is scaling up its operations centered around its European sales subsidiary, with Samlip, Sempio, and Binggrae also pushing into overseas markets with desserts, sauces, and beverages.
In Latin America, exports to Mexico experienced a sharp surge of 89.4% year-on-year, totaling $85.10 million. Across Asia, exports to Singapore rose 22.9% to $171.76 million, and shipments to Taiwan increased 13.3% to $298.66 million.
Overall, while instant noodles remain the primary growth engine for K-Food exports, rising shipments in confectionery, processed rice items, and fresh fruits signal an ongoing diversification of overseas markets beyond traditional strongholds like the U.S. and China into Europe and Latin America.
