Food exports in South Korea
South Korea: Food exports was 1.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Food exports in South Korea, 1962–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise exports.
Analysis
In 2024, food exports in South Korea stood at 1.6%.
The figure is down 1.1% on the previous year and up 41.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food exports in South Korea peaked at 39.2% in 1962 and was at its lowest, 0.9%, in 2007.
That places South Korea 178th out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 19.1% | 10.6% | 39.2% | 8 |
| 1970s | 8.9% | 7.5% | 13.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 5.1% | 3.7% | 7.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.5% | 2.0% | 3.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.2% | 0.9% | 1.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More private sector data for South Korea
- Food imports 6.3% (2024)
- Manufactures imports 60.1% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 631.89 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise trade 71.6% (2025)
- Manufactures exports 87.3% (2024)
- Merchandise exports 709.33 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 149.31 billion current US$ (2025)
- Transport services 19.5% (2025)
- Computer, communications and other services 57.4% (2025)
- Commercial service imports 183.44 billion current US$ (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food exports in South Korea?
- Food exports in South Korea was 1.6% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food exports recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 39.2% in 1962.
- What is the lowest food exports recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.9% in 2007.
- How does South Korea rank for food exports?
- South Korea ranks 178th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is food exports rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 41.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Food exports (% of merchandise exports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Food comprises the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) sections 0 (food and live animals), 1 (beverages and tobacco), and 4 (animal and vegetable oils and fats) and division 22 (oil seeds, oil nuts, and oil kernels). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise exports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a resident and a non-resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.