SOUTH KOREA — South Koreans have developed a growing appetite for cheese, and the U.S. is supplying the majority of their imports.
South Koreans traditionally eat most meals with a generous dollop of the fiery local side dish kimchi.
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New trends centered around cheese means the market for imported cheese is on the rise.
The United States supplied 53 percent of South Korea's cheese imports in the first nine months of this year, followed by New Zealand with only 13 percent.
The demand has been fueled by increased exposure to western dishes, such as pizza.
South Koreans also often incorporate cheese into local dishes like noodle soup and kimchi stir-fried rice. They say the cheese helps to take away the heat from traditionally spicy dishes.
U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows that annual imports of American made cheese are now worth nearly half a billion dollars.