Exports of processed rice products from January to July hit USD 166.12 million, up 45.6% from the same period last year. Shown is the section for instant rice and processed rice products on Aug. 18 at a hypermarket in Seoul. (Yonhap News)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

Exports of processed rice products from January to July set a record high thanks to rising global demand for frozen gimbap (rice rolls), instant rice and tteok (rice cake).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. (aT) on Aug. 18 said such products in the year's first seven months saw exports of USD 166.12 million, up 45.6% year on year.

Such shipments to the U.S. accounted for 56.8% of the figure with USD 94.37 million, up 68%.

Given this momentum, processed rice products this year are expected to break their annual export record of USD 217.24 million set last year.

Overseas shipments of these items have shown a steady rise from just USD 54.34 million in 2015. They broke the USD 100 million mark for the first time in 2019 with USD 185.9 million and USD 200 million last year.

A ministry official said, "Thanks to the efforts of domestic farmers and companies, agricultural and food exports are continuing to grow."

aisylu@korea.kr