SEOUL, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export of agricultural and food products rose in the first nine months of this year due to strong demand from the United States and Europe, government data showed Thursday.
Outbound shipment of locally-made food and farm produce grew 8.3 percent to 7.31 billion U.S. dollars during the January-September period compared to 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 20.8 percent to 1.16 billion dollars in the cited period, and shipment to Europe surged 27.4 percent to 506.1 million dollars.
Export to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) added 5.0 percent to 1.4 billion dollars, but shipment to Japan declined 6.9 percent to 1.02 billion dollars.
By item, instant noodle shipment spiked 29.6 percent to 903.8 million dollars in the nine-month period, while export for processed rice products soared 41.6 percent to 217.9 million dollars.
Export for confectionery and beverage increased in double figures to 560.7 million dollars and 505.7 million dollars each. ■
