S. Korea's pet care exports reach all-time high

South Korea's pet care exports have reached an all-time high of $116 million this year through September, up 56.1 percent from the same period last year, according to the Korea Customs Service (KCS).

With two months remaining in 2022, the exports so far this year have surpassed the previous high of $110 million for the entirety of 2021.

Outbound shipments came in at $61 million for packaged food for cats, $47 million for packaged food for dogs, and $8 million for pet apparel, cushions, and accessories including leashes and collars.

Japan imported the largest amount of South Korean per care items at $4.5 million, or 39 percent, trailed by Thailand with $1.7 million and Australia with $1.5 million.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s imports during the January-September period soared 17 percent on-year to an all-time high of $291 million.

China accounted for the largest amount of $99 million, followed by the United States with $55 million and Thailand with $34 million.