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South Korea's kimchi exports reach $159.9 million in 2021 to register trade surplus for first time in 12 years

Japan was the biggest importer of kimchi from South Korea.

South Korea’s kimchi exports last year reached US$159.9 million, up by 10.7 percent from the previous year, sustaining the increase for the past six years, according to Korea Customs Service.

With last year’s kimchi imports reaching $140.74 million, down by 7.7 percent from the previous year, South Korea registered a trade balance surplus of $19.17 million, its first in the 12 years since the global financial crisis in 2009.

Kimchi exports skyrocketed to an eight-year record high in 2020 with $144.5 million, up 37.6 percent from the previous year.

Japan was the biggest importer of kimchi from South Korea, valued at $80.12 million, representing 50.1 percent of the country’s exports.

The US was second at $28.25 million, followed by Hong Kong with $7.72 million, and Taiwan with $6.91 million.

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