We Must Establish Measures to Address Imported Kimchi Threatening Domestic Production Foundations

The domestic kimchi production base and the status of being the kimchi originating country are under threat. As food service businesses increasingly use cheaper imported kimchi, the domestic kimchi market and horticultural crop production bases for cabbage and radish are being squeezed. According to industry sources, domestic kimchi consumption remains stagnant at around 1.8 million tons, and with the increase in single-person households, changes in dietary patterns, and consumers' pursuit of convenience, commercial kimchi is replacing home-made kimchi. In the commercial kimchi market, where demand is growing, the proportion of imported kimchi is increasing. As of 2024, out of 771,818 tons of commercial kimchi, imported kimchi accounts for 311,570 tons, representing 40.4%, and in the food service market alone, it exceeds 70%, according to the kimchi industry. Import volumes have also increased by 8.7% compared to the previous year's 280,654 tons and by 18.3% compared to 263,435 ...