SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export of agricultural and food products hit a new record high in the first 10 months of this year due to strong demand from the United States and Europe, government data showed Tuesday.
Outbound shipment of locally-made food and farm produce grew 8.7 percent to 8.19 billion U.S. dollars during the January-October period compared with the same period of last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The agri-food products export to the United States expanded 22.1 percent to 1.31 billion dollars in the cited period, and shipment to Europe jumped 26.1 percent to 560 million dollars.
Export to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gained 5.3 percent to 1.57 billion dollars, but shipment to Japan declined 5.9 percent to 1.15 billion dollars.
By item, instant noodle shipment spiked 30 percent to 1.02 billion dollars in the 10-month period, while export for processed rice products soared 41.9 percent to 248.7 million dollars.
Export for confectionery and beverage increased in double figures to 638.7 million dollars and 559.9 million dollars each. ■