Exports of red pepper paste surge 63 pct in 4 years on K-pop popularity
SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean exports of red pepper paste soared nearly 63 percent in the past four years thanks to the global popularity of Korean pop culture, data showed Sunday.
Overseas shipments of red pepper paste, called "gochujang" in Korean, came to US$50.93 million in 2020, up 62.6 percent compared with 2016 and 35.2 percent from 2019, according to the data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. and the agriculture ministry.
Exports of red pepper paste seem to have soared in recent years as more foreigners became interested in Korean food after watching K-pop stars, such as BTS, as well as increasing exposure to Korean culture on over-the-top services, the state company said.
Experts said the Korean Wave generated by K-pop and TV dramas could turn fans in foreign countries into active consumers of South Korean products.
The United States was the top export market with a share of 26.4 percent, followed by China with 17.3 percent and Japan with 10.3 percent.
Exports to the Philippines and Canada accounted for 6 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively.
Outbound shipments of soybean paste "doenjang" also jumped to US$11.72 million in 2020, up 44.8 percent from 2016, the data showed.
(END)
-
Police officer admits to leaking investigation report into late actor Lee Sun-kyun
-
'Parasyte: The Grey' adapts Japanese alien invasion manga to Korean setting
-
S. Korea, U.S. launch task force to block N. Korea's nuclear, missile programs
-
N. Korean leader sends condolences to Putin over Russian concert hall shooting
-
Defense chief calls for defending NLL on anniversary of 2010 warship sinking
-
'Parasyte: The Grey' adapts Japanese alien invasion manga to Korean setting
-
Police officer admits to leaking investigation report into late actor Lee Sun-kyun
-
N. Korean leader sends condolences to Putin over Russian concert hall shooting
-
N.K. leader's sister says Japan's PM proposed summit with Kim
-
Key N. Korean officials pay condolence visit to Russian Embassy in Pyongyang over Moscow attack
-
Yellow dust advisories issued for parts of S. Korea
-
Yellow dust storm blankets S. Korea; fine dust advisory issued
-
Indonesian aerospace firm CEO visits S. Korea amid probe over employee's alleged KF-21 data theft
-
(5th LD) UNSC fails to extend mandate of expert panel monitoring N.K. sanctions enforcement
-
Super Junior's Ryeowook to marry former Tahiti member Ari