Why Are Korean Kimchi Exports to the U.S. Growing in 2026?

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Korea's kimchi exports reached $86 million in the first half of 2026, up 3.2% from a year earlier, according to preliminary estimates from Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA). Exports to North America rose 15.3% to $30.6 million. In the same year, the U.S. dietary guidelines named kimchi as an example of a fermented food.

What did the 2026 U.S. dietary guidelines say about kimchi?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030, list kimchi as an example of a fermented food in their Gut Health section. USDA and HHS released the guidelines on January 7, 2026.

The guidelines state that "vegetables, fruits, fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso) and high-fiber foods support a diverse microbiome, which may be beneficial for health."

How much kimchi did Korea export in the first half of 2026?

Korea exported $86 million of kimchi from January to June 2026, up 3.2% year on year, according to MAFRA preliminary estimates.

Exports to North America reached $30.6 million, up 15.3%.

Exports to the United States alone reached $24.6 million, up 12.9%.

How much kimchi volume went to the U.S.?

Kimchi shipped from Korea to the U.S. reached 7,769.7 metric tons in the first half of 2026, up 17% from a year earlier. KNEWSLA reported these figures on August 1, 2026, in an article discussing Korea Customs Service statistics. The JRD has not independently checked the underlying customs dataset.

What does this mean for global retail buyers?

Kimchi now appears in U.S. federal dietary guidance alongside sauerkraut, kefir and miso. For retailers, this provides a familiar category context for introducing kimchi to consumers interested in fermented foods.

Buyers planning a fermented food range, a gut health shelf or a Korean food set can consider kimchi.

Key takeaways

  • The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030, released by USDA and HHS in January 2026, list kimchi with sauerkraut, kefir and miso as examples of fermented foods in the Gut Health section.
  • Korea's kimchi exports reached $86 million in the first half of 2026, up 3.2%, while exports to North America grew 15.3% to $30.6 million, according to MAFRA.
  • Kimchi volume shipped from Korea to the U.S. reached 7,769.7 metric tons in the first half of 2026, up 17% year on year, as reported by KNEWSLA on August 1, 2026.

FAQ

Is kimchi mentioned in the U.S. dietary guidelines?

Yes. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030, list kimchi as an example of a fermented food in the Gut Health section.

How did North American growth compare with the total?

Exports to North America rose 15.3% to $30.6 million, compared with 3.2% growth for all markets. These preliminary figures do not make North America the fastest-growing region: MAFRA also reported 32.2% growth for the CIS.

About The JRD

The JRD helps global retailers source from Korea. We find, coordinate and manage Korean manufacturers for global retail, from sourcing to compliance and logistics.

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