Domestic rice is headed to Japan, rice processed foods are headed to the United States.

"No matter how much I eat, there's still leftovers."

A large number of rice sacks are piled up in the warehouse, and our rice, which was once considered a nuisance, has recently become highly valued overseas. This is because exports of our rice and rice processed products are increasing.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on the 12th, recently, 2 tons of Korean rice were officially exported to Japan. This is the first time in 35 years since the relevant statistics were compiled in 1990 that Korean rice has been exported to Japan. In Japan, since last year, there has been a severe rice supply shortage, causing prices to surge. To stabilize rice prices, the Japanese government increased the import volume of foreign rice, including Korean rice.

 

Rice is broadly classified into Indica and Japonica. Indica is cultivated and consumed in India, Vietnam, and other regions, with long, slender grains and less stickiness. Japonica is mainly cultivated and consumed in Korea and Japan, with plump grains and a sticky texture. Approximately 90% of global rice production is Indica. Countries that produce and consume Japonica rice include Korea, Japan, and northern China. Since Japonica is the primary variety consumed in Japan, I believe that Korean rice has a competitive edge in preference compared to other countries.

A representative from Nonghyup Economic Holdings stated, "In Asian countries where rice is cultivated, Korea and Japan are considered to have the best rice quality. Due to the sharp rise in Japanese rice prices, Korean rice is deemed competitive in terms of quality and price," and added, "The local consumer response has been quite positive, so the outlook for future exports, including additional shipments, is also optimistic."

The export of our rice to Japan is a meaningful achievement in securing overseas markets for rice, which continues to expand. Rice exports, which had been sluggish, gained momentum starting in 2023. According to the Korea Customs Service, the rice export amounts are △15.39 million dollars in 2022, △28.50 million dollars in 2023, and △49.09 million dollars in 2024.

Positive signals are emerging domestically for productizing "leftover rice." The rice that remains each year is unfairly treated as leftover food. According to the Statistics Korea "2024 Grain Consumption Survey," last year's annual rice consumption per person was 55.8 kg, a 1.1% decrease from the previous year, but rice consumption in the business sector increased by 87,336.3 tons, a 6.9% rise compared to the previous year.

The annual rice consumption per person is based on household data and refers to the amount of rice used for cooking rice at home. Rice processed foods within households are included in the rice consumption of business entities, not households. Overall rice consumption has not decreased absolutely; rather, it is analyzed that the pattern of rice consumption has diversified, with more rice being consumed through processed foods and other means rather than just rice for cooking rice.

 

Rice processed foods are also experiencing increased consumption overseas. Last year, the export value of rice processed foods reached 300 million dollars, showing a 38.4% increase compared to the previous year, and it exhibited the highest growth rate among the top export items in agricultural and food products. The main export countries are the United States (17.32 million dollars), Vietnam (16.2 million dollars), and Japan (11.7 million dollars). A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "In particular, exports to the United States have seen significant growth," and explained, "This is attributed to the popularity of gluten-free health foods and the convenience of quickly preparing a meal."

A food industry official said, "Until now, rice processed foods have mainly been exported to the Korean community, but with the spread of K-food, interest in items like kimbap and tteokbokki has increased," and added, "Rice beverages, rice noodles, and rice snacks are experiencing growing consumption due to marketing focused on health and eco-friendliness, and with government support, these items are expected to grow."

 

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Our rice has become a flagship export item~

 

We should look at Japan as an important example and become a country that protects rice well~