South Korean sesame oil exports hit record high in Jan-Apr
En resumen
- South Korean sesame oil exports surged 37% to a record $6.14 million in the first four months of 2026, driven by global demand for Korean cuisine and healthy eating trends.
- The US was the largest market.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
South Korean sesame oil exports have seen significant growth in the first four months of 2026, reaching a new record. This surge is attributed to the increasing global popularity of Korean food and a broader trend towards healthy eating.
SEOUL, June 2 (Yonhap) -- Exports of sesame oil soared 37 percent in the first four months of 2026 from a year earlier to set a new record amid the growing popularity of Korean food around the world, data showed Tuesday.
Outbound shipments of sesame oil reached US$6.14 million in the January-April period, with the shipment volume jumping 47.6 percent to 657 tons over the period, according to data compiled by the Korea Customs Service.
"Following higher demand for vegetable oil products driven by the global popularity of healthy eating, consumers around the world have increasingly purchased key sauces used in Korean food recipes, leading to the growth," the agency said in a release.
By destination, exports to the United States accounted for $2.6 million, or 41.7 percent of total exports, followed by Canada with $600,000 and Taiwan with $500,000.
Shipments to Australia and the Netherlands came to $500,000 and $300,000, respectively, the latest findings showed.
Preguntas abiertas
- What specific Korean dishes are driving the demand for sesame oil?
- Are there any specific marketing efforts contributing to this growth?
- What are the projected export figures for the remainder of 2026?
- Are there any challenges or bottlenecks in the supply chain for these exports?
