South Korea’s fruit exports have achieved an unprecedented record high in the first half of 2026, according to recent customs data. This significant growth is primarily fueled by robust global demand for premium Korean fruits and substantial advancements in cold-chain shipping infrastructure.
For the January-June period, fruit exports soared to an impressive $95.72 million, marking a substantial 19.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, as reported by the Korea Customs Service. This momentum follows a record-setting year in 2025, when total fruit exports reached $240 million.
The agency expressed strong optimism, stating, “Considering that the majority of Korean fruits are typically harvested and shipped during the second half of the year, we anticipate exports will achieve a new record high for the second consecutive year if this positive momentum persists.”
This robust export performance is largely attributed to South Korea’s strategic focus on cultivating and offering premium fruit products specifically tailored to meet the preferences of diverse international markets. Furthermore, the advanced cold-chain shipping infrastructure plays a crucial role, enabling exporters to consistently deliver fresh, high-quality Korean fruits worldwide.
Among the various fruit categories, fresh strawberries dominated, accounting for a significant 63.2 percent of total fruit exports. Grapes followed as the second-largest contributor at 18.6 percent, with pears rounding out the top three at 8.4 percent of exports.
Geographically, Singapore emerged as the leading export destination, receiving 23.9 percent of South Korea’s fruit exports. Thailand was the second-largest market at 18.5 percent, followed closely by Taiwan, which accounted for 12.1 percent of the total fruit exports.
