South Korean food exports hit record highs on ramen and snack demand

South Korean food exports, led by instant ramen and packaged snacks, reached record highs in 2024. The growth capped several years of rising overseas demand for Korean products, which was driven by the global popularity of K-pop, Korean dramas and social media food trends.

Instant noodles were the standout product. Major Korean makers such as Nongshim, Samyang and Ottogi sold more in the United States, Europe, China and Southeast Asia. Spicy noodle challenges on video platforms helped spread the brands. Other exports, including kimchi, sauces, seaweed snacks and confectionery, also grew.

The boom mattered because it changed Korea's place in the global food trade. The country had long been a food importer, but its companies began building overseas factories, distribution deals and marketing that treated Korean food as a mainstream category rather than a niche one. Government agencies also backed the push as part of wider efforts to promote Korean culture abroad.

The success also drew attention from competitors in neighbouring markets. Food companies elsewhere in Asia began to look more closely at Korea itself, which has become both an exporter and an increasingly crowded consumer market.