Kimchi exports may return to pre-pandemic levels or even set a new record this year as the health benefits of the traditional Korean dish become better known around the world, data from the Korea Customs Service (KCS) showed Tuesday.

Overseas kimchi shipments amounted to $118.8 million in the January-September period, up 10.6 percent from a year earlier. Its volume increased by 8.1 percent to 33,828 tons during the period.

Against the backdrop of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic, their overseas sales jumped from $104.9 billion in 2019 to $144.5 billion in 2020 and to a record $159.9 billion in 2021 on the back of the widespread belief that fermented dishes can boost immunity. Last year, however, after the outbreak ended, that figure fell 11.9 percent to $140.8 billion.

So far this year, both exports and imports have been on the rise again. With a trade surplus of $3.29 million in January-September this year, kimchi could see its first surplus in two years this year.

In particular, the fermented dish is becoming increasingly popular in North America and Europe. During this period, kimchi exports to the U.S. grew 41.2 percent annually to $30.6 million, and exports to the Netherlands grew 15.7 percent to $5.5 million. With the popularity of this side dish, the U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to pass a proposed resolution in December calling for November 22 to be designated "Kimchi Day."

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