Business · Trade · 1 hr ago
South Korea’s consumer goods exports rose 4.2-fold in a decade
South Korea exported $15.59 billion worth of seven food, beauty and biotech products in the first eight months of 2026.
That was 4.2 times the total for the same period in 2016, while the country’s overall exports grew 2.2 times.
The products include items such as instant noodles, cosmetics and medicines.
Sales grew especially strongly in the United States and Europe, and beauty exports are now spread more evenly across China and Hong Kong, the United States and Europe.
Small and medium-sized companies account for most food and beauty exports, while large companies lead biotech exports.
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry says tailored help with certification, labelling and distribution could support further growth, especially for smaller firms.
It also called for stronger support to help small businesses grow into mid-sized companies and for steps to address slower exports to China.
South Korea’s exports of seven selected consumer goods reached $15.59 billion in January-August 2026, 4.2 times the total for the same period in 2016.
The increase was nearly twice the growth in South Korea’s overall exports, which rose 2.2-fold over the same period.
Exports to the United States and Europe grew 11.9-fold and 11-fold, respectively.
Small and midsize firms accounted for 93.1% of K-food exports and 91.3% of K-beauty exports this year.
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for tailored export support and stronger growth pathways for small businesses.
- Who
- South Korean exporters of food, beauty and bio products.
- What
- Exports of seven selected consumer goods rose 4.2-fold over a decade, reaching $15.59 billion in January-August 2026.
- When
- January-August 2026, compared with the same period in 2016.
- Where
- South Korea’s export markets, including the United States, Europe, ASEAN, Japan, China and Hong Kong.
- Why
- The report said wider opportunities to promote Korean products through the Korean Wave and the spread of online distribution helped small and midsize firms expand overseas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Exports of the seven selected food, beauty and bio products totaled $3.74 billion in January-August.
The number of small businesses exporting basic cosmetics reached 6,019, up from 2,808 in 2016.
Exports of the seven selected products totaled $15.59 billion.
- Export value
- $15.59 billion in January-August 2026
- Decade comparison
- 4.2 times the January-August 2016 total of $3.74 billion
- United States
- Exports increased 11.9-fold, from $230 million to $2.74 billion
- Europe
- Exports increased 11-fold, from $490 million to $5.36 billion
- Small and midsize firms
- Accounted for 93.1% of K-food exports and 91.3% of K-beauty exports in 2026
What people are saying
We need to turn the K-consumer goods export base built by thousands of small and midsize companies into a sustained growth engine
Sources
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