KOREAN NET

Exports of baked goods like snacks and bread in the year's first 11 months broke USD 400 million for the first time. Shown is a package of bungeoppang, or a fish-shaped bun filled with sweetened red bean paste, on Dec. 11 displayed at a convenience store in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Yonhap News)

By Margareth Theresia

Exports of bakery products such as confectionery and bread in the first 11 months of the year broke USD 400 million for the first time.

The Korea Custom Service (KCS) on Dec. 24 said such shipments from January to November reached a record-high USD 404 million between January and November, up 8.3% year on year.

Amid rising global recognition of Korean food, uniquely differentiated bakery products have gained global popularity to fuel export growth. All bakery products such as confectionery, breads and ingredients posted record-breaking sales.

Among bread items, exports of cakes and pies rose 18.9%. Distinctly Korean products like bungeoppang, a fish-shaped bun filled with sweetened red bean paste, and hopang, a steamed bun also filled with sweetened red bean paste, contributed to the sector thanks to the popularity of the nation's food and pop culture, the KCS said.

The top market for bakery exports among 120 countries was the U.S. (33.5%), followed by China (11.3%) and Japan (9.5%). Shipments to 40 countries including the U.S. also set record highs.

Bakery products comprise only 4.5% or USD 9.05 billion of the nation's food exports, but the growth of such shipments to Europe and North America attest to the quality and global competitiveness of Korean products.

The global export ranking of Korea's processed grain and bakery products also jumped from 22nd in 2019 to 15th last year.

margareth@korea.kr