Exports of kimchi in South Korea hit a record high last year in six years as the traditional Korean staple dish appeals more to the global community for its health benefits.

According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday, kimchi shipments last year amounted to $97.5 million, the highest since 2012 when the figure reached $104 million. It was also up 20 percent from the previous year, the biggest gain since the government began compiling related data in 2006.

Kimchi exports that had dropped from $89 million in 2013 to $73 million in 2015 showed a surge from $81 million in 2017 to $97.5 million in 2018. The number of Kimchi export destinations also increased from 63 countries in 2017 to 68 last year. Shipment to Japan soared 23 percent to $56 million over the period, while export to the U.S. reached $9 million, Taiwan $5 million, Hong Kong $4.5 million and Australia $3 million.

The government attributed the gain to its efforts to promote health benefits of the food. British newspaper The Guardian last year picked kimchi as one of the top five healthiest foods in the world, and Japanese NHK in 2015 made a special feature about the Korean preserved dish.

“The gain was achieved despite unstable supply of vegetables due to the heat wave during the last summer and protracted economic slowdown,” an official from the agriculture ministry. “We will strengthen research and development to enhance food quality and improve packaging and give various supports to maintain the growth.”

By Kim Tae-joon and Choi Mira

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]