The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Sept. 9 said exports of coffee products this year from January through last month reached USD 222.1 million, up 3.4% (USD 214.9 million) from the same period last year. Shown are coffee mixes at a hypermarket in Seoul. (Yonhap News)

By Lee Jihae

Korean coffee mixes are growingly popular worldwide.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Sept. 9 said exports of coffee products this year from January to last month reached USD 222.1 million, up 3.4% (USD 214.9 million) from the same period last year.

Overseas shipments of instant coffee through July surged 43.9% year on year to USD 6.3 million, according to the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp.

The popularity of the nation's coffee mixes lies in their convenient consumption on the spot and their sweet taste appealing to locals.

A ministry official told the daily Seoul Shinmun, "China is our biggest export market for instant coffee, and statistically, demand for it as gifts there will rise before Chinese (Lunar) New Year (January to February)." 

"Coffee mixes abroad tend to taste a bit bland due to problems like mixing coffee beans," a source from the domestic food and dairy company Namyang added. "Export demand for Korean coffee items is rising in tandem with the growing global popularity of K-food."

jihlee08@korea.kr