Government support is helping exporters maintain their trade through the first third of the year
Korean fruit exports are up through the beginning of 2026, even to the Middle East, despite the conflict in the region disrupting global supply chains.
According to a report from The Korea Times, Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said cumulative K-food exports reached 5.38trillion won (US$3.58bn) through April, up 4.7 per cent from the same period a year earlier.
Top fruit categories experienced double-digit growth, with shipments of strawberries rising 16.5 per cent to 57.4mn won, grapes soaring 25.5 per cent to 17.5mn won, and pears surging 62.4 per cent to 7.7mn won.
The government said fresh produce exporters have continued air shipments despite rising fuel surcharges, absorbing higher costs to avoid breaking contracts with overseas buyers. It has stepped in to support exporters affected by the disruption with emergency funding.
The ministry selected 211 companies for a 72 bn won export voucher programme aimed at easing supply chain pressure. More than 50 per cent of the support will be directed toward logistics costs, including rerouting fees, delay charges and return shipments, with retroactive coverage starting in March.
