South Korean exports of red pepper paste and various sauces achieved a record high in 2023, fueled by the increasing global popularity of Korean cuisine and cultural content. According to the Korea Customs Service, overseas shipments of these items, including the iconic red pepper paste "gochujang," soy sauce, and other seasonings, reached a total of $380.4 million, marking a 6.2 percent increase from the previous year. In terms of volume, South Korea exported 131,800 tons of these products last year, making it the second-largest export year following 2021.
The export growth was led by sauces, which generated $240.1 million and included popular items like soy sauce used in "bulgogi" (Korean BBQ) and spicy "buldak" sauce for hot chicken dishes. Bean-based pastes like "doenjang" also contributed significantly, with exports worth $111 million. The United States emerged as the top market for these Korean exports, accounting for 21.8 percent of the total, followed by China, Japan, Russia, and Vietnam.
The record-setting performance in exporting sauces to 139 countries is attributed to the rising global interest in Korean food and cultural offerings. An official from the Korea Customs Service noted that the surge in sauce exports is a direct result of the worldwide appeal of Korean culinary and cultural products.
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South Korea