Kimchi, the representative food of Korea. But now it has become a food loved by people all over the world. Not to mention the efficacies of kimchi, a fermented food, it has made available more choices for global consumers with a variety of  products. Due to such effects, the growth rate of Korea’s kimchi exports is the highest ever. Let’s look into the reasons why Korea’s kimchi is loved by overseas consumers. 

#Kimchi, Leads Korea’s Exports of Agricultural Products 
Actual exports of Korea’s agricultural products are even more impressive amidst COVID-19 pandemic. At high risk from COVID-19, consumers have looked for healthier foods that can boost immunity. Korea’s agricultural exports increased significantly in keeping with such needs of global consumers. Undeterred by global trade difficulties due to COVID-19, Korea’s agricultural exports in 2020 reached a record high of USD 7.57 billion. 
At the center of it all is Korea’s kimchi. Exports of kimchi amounted to USD 144.5 million in 2020, up 37.6% from the previous year. That was the biggest growth rate among the Korea’s agricultural products for export during the same period. Such a growth rate continues this year. By the first half of this year, kimchi exports amounted to USD 86.8 million, up 20.1% from the same period last year.

#The key to the popularity of Korea’s kimchi
The reason why Korea’s kimchi is loved by global consumers is because of the widespread awareness that kimchi is a healthy food. Kimchi is already recognized as the best health food by famous science magazines and daily newspapers abroad.

In fact, , an American magazine focused on health, has selected kimchi as one of the world’s five healthiest foods. As a result, kimchi is living up to consumers’ expectations to find healthy food during COVID-19.
Kimchi is known to vary in nutritional value depending on the raw materials or the degree of ripening. Hence, there are about 300 different types of kimchi in Korea. Any ingredient that can be salted, mixed with seasoning then fermented can become kimchi. Therefore, cabbage kimchi has been a representative of Korea’s kimchi, but now various types of kimchi have become popular overseas. Korea’s kimchi is excellent for immunity and has various types, satisfying consumers’ preferences. Also, the fact that kimchi goes well with various local foods increases its popularity.

#Have you seen this kind of kimchi?
Another factor influencing the popularity of Korea’s kimchi is that it can be enjoyed in various forms. Kimchi that was available overseas in the past used to be mostly in the form of a plastic pouch. And it was true that there was concern that the taste might change or that it could deteriorate due to the characteristics of kimchi. 
Recently, however, Korea’s kimchi has been eliminating such concerns through the changes in packaging methods. For example, canned kimchi and the seasoning products that revive the taste of kimchi are popular overseas. Canned kimchi has the advantage of being easily accessible at home or outdoors as it is easier to carry and store than the vinyl packaging. Kimchi seasoning products are also gaining popularity because they can be easily carried around like spice containers and sprinkled on various dishes.
You can see the true value of these products on the internet as well. In fact, purchase reviews of kimchi seasonings on Amazon said, “I have sprinkled the product on french fries, hamburgers, pizza and even on salad”, “This seasoning is like a new world.” Evaluations of canned kimchi are also generous. Buyers left reviews by saying, “Canned kimchi is good because it can be eaten quickly. It also has the advantage of being stored at room temperature. And I like it that it’s not spicy”, and that “Canned kimchi is sealed tight, so the liquid doesn’t leak out. I reordered it because I could put it on a shelf and have it whenever I wanted.”