Seoul: Total exports of South Korean food products are anticipated to reach an all-time high this year, as reported by the country's customs agency. The agency has pledged additional support to further boost exports amid the expanding global popularity of Korean culture.

According to Yonhap News Agency, total exports of Korean food products through November reached US$10.4 billion, reflecting a 7 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The Korea Customs Service data indicates that the aggregate exports of food products for the entire year are "certain" to surpass last year's total of $10.7 billion, which marked the highest on record.

Processed foods represented the largest share of exports at 60.8 percent, followed by fisheries goods at 27.5 percent. Instant ramyeon noodles and dried seaweed products, known in Korean as "gim," were particularly popular, with exports of these items growing 21.4 percent and 13.3 percent on-year, respectively.

To support local food exporters, the customs agency announced plans to introduce new HS Codes, or standardized category codes for traded products, for popular food items like ramyeon. This initiative was discussed during a meeting held with local food exporters in Seoul. Additionally, the agency committed to increasing its crackdown on country-of-origin labeling to prevent illegal distribution and imports of food products falsely labeled as produced in South Korea.