According to data, South Korea experienced a 5.2 percent increase in exports of food and related products in the first half of 2024, driven by the growing demand for instant noodles and processed rice items. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported that outbound shipments of these goods, collectively known as "K-Food Plus," reached $6.21 billion, up from $5.9 billion the previous year. The "K-Food Plus" category encompasses a wide variety of food items, from fresh and processed goods to agricultural equipment and solutions. Notably, exports of instant noodles surged by 32.3 percent to $590.2 million, while processed rice products saw a 41.4 percent increase to $136.9 million. The popularity of South Korean rice products, particularly frozen gimbap, also contributed to the rise in exports. Frozen gimbap, a type of seaweed rice roll, gained attention in the US market due to its gluten-free and healthy eating appeal, as reported by the ministry. This trend further fueled the growth of South Korea's food and related exports during this period.