South Korea has unveiled an ambitious strategic target to boost its food export industry to US$21 billion per year by 2030, a significant increase from current levels. The plan was announced on Tuesday by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs during the K-food Global Vision Declaration Ceremony, underscoring the government’s intent to position Korean food products as a major force in global markets.
The initiative comes as Korean food exports have already surged this year, reaching a record US$12.34 billion between January and November 2025, according to ministry data. This growth reflects rising global interest in South Korean cuisine, driven in part by the worldwide popularity of South Korean culture, including music, television, film, and lifestyle trends.
Strategic Vision and Policy Framework
The government’s plan is designed to transform the food and beverage sector into a strategic pillar of the national export economy. To achieve the US$21 billion target, the ministry has outlined a multi-pronged strategy focused on both expanding current markets and exploring new opportunities.
Officials highlighted five core strategic approaches:
1. Enhancing Authentic Korean Food Appeal
South Korea will promote the unique cultural and culinary authenticity of Korean food products, strengthening brand recognition and appetite abroad. This includes more robust marketing tied to the country’s rich cuisine traditions.
2. Tailoring Products to Key Export Markets
The export strategy involves market-specific product focus, aligning offerings with global consumer preferences. For example:
- Barbecue sauces and seasoning products tailored for the United States,
- High-value health foods shipped to European markets, and
- Halal-certified beef products designed for the Middle East region.
3. Developing Human Capital and Culinary Education
To support international promotion efforts, the government plans to open a specialized culinary school focused on Korean cuisine. Beyond domestic training, the initiative will include partnerships with leading international institutes such as the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu, offering K-food programs abroad to foster global culinary ambassadors and train overseas chefs in Korean food techniques.
4. Creating Export-Friendly Support Infrastructure
A one-stop support centre for food exporters will be established to help companies navigate global trade challenges, particularly non-tariff barriers such as sanitary measures, labelling requirements, and regulatory compliance. Export promos will be boosted through increased export vouchers for food producers, rising to 72 billion won (about US$48.5 million) in 2026.
5. Linking Food Culture with Tourism and Events
Officials also plan to embed Korean cuisine into cultural and tourism initiatives. By showcasing food at international events cultural festivals, sporting occasions, and tourism promotions South Korea aims to attract global visitors and transform them into advocates for Korean food culture.
Government Support and Presidential Backing
In his congratulatory address during the event, President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed the government’s strong support for the agricultural export drive. He described the food industry as a budding strategic export sector with the potential to create economic gains and elevate South Korea’s presence in global markets.
“The government will provide firm support to help K-food grow into a strategic export industry,” President Lee said, emphasizing that consistent policy actions and strong public-private collaboration were essential to achieving the 2030 export target.
Broader Economic and Cultural Impact
South Korea’s effort to dramatically expand food exports by 2030 aligns with broader national goals to diversify its export base and enhance the global profile of Korean culture. The so-called K-wave referring to the worldwide popularity of Korean entertainment, fashion, and cuisine has already made South Korean culinary products attractive globally. Leveraging this cultural momentum, the government strategy aims to turn food exports into a steady global growth engine.
If successful, the US$21 billion target would nearly double current food export figures and place South Korean food products among the top internationally recognised export categories, comparable with its achievements in electronics, automobiles, and entertainment.
Looking Ahead
With the rollout of tailored export programmes, culinary diplomacy initiatives, and coordinated trade promotion measures, South Korea is positioning itself to become a major global player in food exports not just as a supplier, but as a cultural ambassador through its cuisine.