SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export of agricultural and food products rose in the first seven 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 goods gained 9.2 percent to 5.67 billion U.S. dollars during the January-July 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 advanced 23.0 percent to 886 million dollars, while shipment to Europe surged 33.3 percent to 407 million dollars.
Shipment to Japan shrank 6.7 percent to 794 million dollars in the seven-month period, but export to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grew 5.5 percent to 1.1 billion dollars.
By item, instant noodle shipment spiked 34.0 percent to 699 million dollars, and export for tobacco products added 9.0 percent to 636 million dollars.
Export for confectionery and beverage increased in double digits to 424 million dollars and 388 million dollars each.
Shipment for processed coffee and coffee additives climbed 3.2 percent to 197 million dollars, and ginseng export expanded 5.0 percent to 179 million dollars.
Export for processed rice products such as pre-cooked rice and seaweed rice rolls soared 45.7 percent to 165 million dollars in the seven-month period. ■