K-Food and K-Beauty Drive Dual Growth, Emerging as New Pillars of Korea’s Exports

Record-High Exports for Food and Cosmetics
United States Becomes Largest Market, Growth Accelerates in Europe and the Middle East

The food and cosmetics industries are emerging as new growth engines for South Korea’s exports. This year, South Korea’s exports reached a record high of 700 billion dollars for the first time, and the export structure, which had been heavily concentrated in a few manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors and automobiles, is gradually diversifying toward consumer goods. Despite U.S. tariff barriers and a global economic slowdown, K-Food and K-Beauty continue their growth trend, forming a key pillar of South Korea’s exports.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Customs Service on December 30, the provisional export value of K-Food Plus from January to November this year was 12.34 billion dollars, up 4.6% from the same period last year. On an annual basis, it is expected to reach about 13.5 billion dollars.

On the 13th, a foreigner carrying a shopping bag full of cosmetics is browsing cosmetics at a cosmetics store in Myeongdong, Seoul. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

During this period, exports of agricultural and food products amounted to 9.38 billion dollars, an increase of 4.7%. By country, the United States accounted for the largest share at 1.65 billion dollars, up 14.0% year-on-year. This was followed by China at 1.46 billion dollars and Japan at 1.21 billion dollars.

By product, instant noodles (ramyeon) were by far the leader. Ramyeon has established itself as a flagship export item for Korean food. From January to November this year, ramyeon exports reached 1.38 billion dollars, already surpassing last year’s annual figure. In terms of Korean won, it exceeded 2 trillion won for the first time ever. This marks the eleventh consecutive year of record highs since 2015.

Ice cream and grapes also showed remarkable growth. Ice cream exports amounted to 110 million dollars, up 20.8% year-on-year, while grapes increased by 51.3% to 65 million dollars. The growth in overseas demand for ready-to-eat meals and desserts is believed to have contributed to the increase in exports of related products.

The growth of K-Food is seen as having moved beyond a trend to become embedded in local consumer culture. Analysts attribute this to a combination of rising brand awareness driven by Korean Wave content, increased demand for ready-to-eat meals, and growing interest in Korean food culture, especially spicy flavors, particularly in the United States and Europe.

The growth of the cosmetics industry has been even steeper. Cumulative cosmetics exports through November this year reached 10.4 billion dollars, up 11.4% year-on-year, marking an all-time high. Exports of basic skincare and color cosmetics alone totaled 8.55 billion dollars, nearly matching last year’s annual figure.

By country, the United States surpassed China for the first time this year to become the largest export destination for K-Beauty. From January to November, cosmetics exports to the United States reached 1.61364 billion dollars, up 13.6% year-on-year. K-Beauty brands have also ramped up efforts to penetrate the U.S. market. Moving beyond online-focused distribution, they have expanded offline channels by entering major multi-brand stores such as Ulta Beauty and large retailers like Costco. Product categories are also diversifying from basic skincare to color cosmetics and hair products. During the same period, hair care product exports to the United States surged 28% year-on-year to 95 million dollars.

The regions with the most pronounced export growth rates were Europe and the Middle East. Exports to Poland, where K-Beauty distribution platform Siliconto operates a logistics center, reached 224.14 million dollars, up 125% year-on-year. This was followed by the United Kingdom (165.7 million dollars, up 37.2%), France (107.64 million dollars, up 77.7%), and the Netherlands (89.94 million dollars, up 24.5%). In the Middle East, exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Siliconto has a logistics hub, rose 65% year-on-year to 234.28 million dollars.

The government has announced plans to support consumer goods exports as a next-generation growth engine. The goal is to increase consumer goods exports by 64% over the next five years, reaching 70 billion dollars by 2030. To this end, the government will expand trade insurance coverage for consumer goods companies to 25 trillion won by 2030. Insurance premiums will be discounted by up to 30%, and new low-interest loans will be introduced for K-Beauty and food companies. Export marketing and raw material procurement funds will be provided at annual interest rates in the 2% range.

Lee Eunhee, professor of consumer studies at Inha University, commented, “This year, K-Food and K-Beauty gained attention thanks to the popularity of Korean content. While exports may continue to increase next year, in the long term, we should focus on promoting the industry as a whole, rather than approaching it by individual brand.”