Seoul: Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung has announced her commitment to enhancing South Korea's food exports, with a focus on diversifying overseas markets in response to the rising global popularity of Korean culture. The government aims to capitalize on this trend by exploring new markets and increasing the presence of South Korean food products worldwide.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Song identified the Middle East and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as key potential markets for South Korean food products. Her recent visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore were part of efforts to promote Korean food in these regions. Song noted the influence of Korean dramas in generating interest in K-food during her attendance at Gulfood, a major food and beverage trade show in Dubai. During the event, the agriculture ministry secured memorandums of understanding (MOUs) totaling $8 million with foreign buyers.
In Singapore, Song observed promising opportunities for Korean beef and pork exports, particularly following the country's initiation of imports from Jeju Island. The ministry has set an ambitious export target of $16 billion for the food and agriculture sector this year, representing a 17.5 percent increase from the record $13.62 billion achieved in 2025. January's K-food exports rose by 12.6 percent year-on-year, reaching $830 million.
To advance its export strategy, the ministry has established a task force and designated specific export items for various markets, such as kimchi in the United States, halal food in the Middle East and ASEAN, and persimmons in China. Amid renewed trade tensions with the U.S., Song emphasized efforts to address non-tariff trade barriers in line with the countries' trade agreement finalized in October. A help desk has been set up to facilitate communication with Washington on sanitary and phytosanitary procedures for American agricultural imports.
Domestically, the government plans to distribute 170,000 tons of seasonal goods during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, significantly exceeding the usual distribution levels to ensure a stable supply of agro-livestock products. While agricultural prices remain stable, Song noted higher prices for livestock-related goods due to the spread of animal diseases, such as avian influenza, this winter.