S. Korea’s agri-food products export rises in January-August

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) — South Korea’s export of agricultural and food products rose for the first eight months of this year due to strong demand from the United States and Europe, government data showed Tuesday.
Outbound shipment of locally-made food and farm goods gained 8.7 percent to 6.48 billion U.S. dollars during the January-August period compared with the same period of last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The agri-food products export to the United States advanced 22.8 percent to 1.02 billion dollars in the cited period, and shipment to Europe surged 30.5 percent to 459 million dollars.
Export to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grew 5.9 percent to 1.26 billion dollars, but shipment to Japan shrank 7.4 percent to 900 million dollars in the eight-month period.
By item, instant noodles shipment spiked 31.7 percent to 800 million dollars, while exports for tobacco products added 7.0 percent to 729 million dollars.
Confectionery and beverage exports increased in double digits to 494 million dollars and 449 million dollars each.
Shipment for processed coffee and coffee additives expanded by 3.4 percent to 222 million dollars, and processed rice products export jumped 41.7 percent to 190 million dollars. ■