Kimchi Shipments Worldwide Are In Their All-Time High, Korean Food Ministry Says
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in South Korea recently announced that kimchi exports worldwide has reached their all-time high, up by 38.5 percent year on year.
The value of kimchi shipments around the globe is now at US$ 108.5 million in the year's first nine months. This has already surpassed the US$ 105 million mark last year.
Kimchi is a staple dish in Korean cuisine, usually utilized as an appetizer or ingredient in various recipes. It comprises salted and fermented vegetables like Korean radish or napa cabbage. Among the kimchi recipes you can create include Kimchi Udon Noodle Stir-Fry, Corned Beef Kimchi Fried Rice, Kimchi Jigae or Kimchi Soup, Quick and Easy Ramen Soup, and so much more.
Not only among the locals that kimchi is popular, but in various cultures in the world. Thus, the increasing demand and exports of kimchi worldwide.
South Korea is among the leaders in exporting kimchi and has also surpassed standards for diversifying its markets in the export industry. Japan is the largest market for kimchi exports, totaling to approximately 80 percent.
Over 80 countries in the world are markets for kimchi, including the United States, Australia, and Hong Kong.
Even China is going overboard by claiming that kimchi actually originated from their country. A domestic food manufacturer in the East Asian nation stated, "China has done so for 10 years. Storing pickled vegetables has been all around the world for thousands of years, and what China maintains is groundless."
Furthermore, it seems that China is distancing itself from becoming a market for Korean kimchi since it even tries to compete with Korea as it also exports kimchi to various parts of the globe.
On November 22nd, the world celebrated International Kimchi Day. The Kimchi Association of Korea has chosen this date for the occasion based on science. According to them, salting kimchi on this day will have its tonic reach the highest point.
