As more regions abroad celebrate Kimchi Day, which falls on Nov. 22 in Korea, exports of the spicy condiment this year are likely to break a record high. (Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp.)
By Kim Seon Ah
With kimchi exports rising from January to September, this year is highly likely to see such shipments will break their record highs in value and volume set in 2021.
The Korea Customs Service on Oct. 31 quoted trade data as saying such exports in the first three quarters reach USD 118.86 million, up 10.6% and 33,828 tons, up 8.1% year on year.
In 2021, shipments posted USD 159.91 million and 42,544 tons, both record highs, but the figures for this year’s first three quarters are close to those over the same period in 2021 of USD 123.8 million and 32,362 tons.
Last year, the export amount dropped 11.9% to USD 140.81 million and volume fell 3.4% to 41,118 tons. With both indicators soaring in the first nine months of this year, however, expectations are growing that the 2021 records will be broken.
Growth of kimchi exports is also leading to more regions overseas to observe Kimchi Day, which falls on Nov. 22 in Korea as a legal anniversary day set by the government in 2020 to promote the value and excellence of the condiment.
In June this year, Sao Paulo, Brazil, became the first South American city to designate Kimchi Day. A month later, Argentina became the world’s first country to name the occasion as a national anniversary day.
The Royal Borough of Kingston in London became the first in Europe to declare Kimchi Day.
Starting with California in 2021, the U.S. last year saw Kimchi Day proclaimed in Virginia, New York, Michigan, Georgia, Texas, Maryland and Washington, D.C. In April this year, Hawaii proposed a bill on the designation.
The American federal government is also expected to recognize Kimchi Day. Yonhap News on Oct. 26 said the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability decided to adopt a resolution at an upcoming plenary session on Dec. 6 to designate Nov. 22 Kimchi Day.
Honolulu, Hawaii, will also open the first kimchi museum outside of Korea to mark Kimchi Day this year. The Kimchi Heart Hawaii Foundation on Oct. 30 said it will host the facility’s opening ceremony on Nov. 22.
sofiakim218@korea.kr
