Spices · importers
South Korea ranks fourteenth of 96 at $1.4B in the chapter that contains spices, and a cuisine built on chilli, garlic and fermented seasonings shapes demand.
| Market | HS 09 imports |
|---|---|
| United States | $11.7B |
| Germany | $6.5B |
| France | $4.0B |
| Italy | $3.4B |
| Canada | $2.4B |
Figures are for the whole of HS chapter 09 (coffee, tea, mate and spices). Source: UN Comtrade, as reported by national authorities; latest available year per market.
Switzerland is above at $1.5B and India below at $1.2B, so South Korea’s 2.0% share of reported world imports keeps it clear of the market behind it. The chapter is 0.2% of its $631.7B imports and ranks 45th among import chapters.
Korean cooking relies heavily on chilli, and food makers produce chilli pastes, seasoning powders and kimchi in volume. Domestic supply does not always meet demand or the range of grades needed, so imports of dried chillies and other spices supplement it. Buyers will be specific about heat level, colour, moisture and cleanliness.
Ask which grades the importer buys, and how it tests colour and pungency on arrival. Buyers also tend to compare crop-year differences closely, so tell them which harvest your lot comes from and how it was dried and stored, since colour and aroma can vary noticeably between seasons. Mention any certificates you can provide, such as laboratory results for heat and colour.
China, the USA, Japan and Saudi Arabia lead the overall source list, which covers all goods and does not show spice origins. Import, quarantine and labelling conditions for agricultural products are set by the authorities and can change, so confirm them before you ship.
The $1.4B combines coffee, tea, mate and spices, so spices are a fraction. National reporting and re-exports can move a market’s rank.
Spice-heading shipment records name the consignees. Settle Incoterm, currency, payment terms and port, and approach the shortlist via this site’s free marketplace. Ask each buyer for its colour and pungency targets in writing before you propose a price, because chilli lots are priced tightly against those measures.
Fourteenth of 96 at $1.4B in 2024, a 2.0% share of reported world imports.
Local cuisine uses it heavily, and imports supplement domestic supply in range and grade.
No. It includes coffee, tea and mate.
Search spice-heading shipment records and read consignees and weights.
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