With pet ownership skyrocketing and premium products flying off the shelves, South Korea's pet industry isn't just growing—it's exploding into a multi-trillion won economy that treats pets like family.
Key Takeaways
- South Korean pet market size reached 4.68 trillion KRW in 2022, reflecting a 12.5% year-over-year growth driven by increased pet ownership
- Pet industry revenue in South Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2028, reaching 7.2 trillion KRW
- In 2023, the pet supplies segment accounted for 28% of the total Korean pet market value, equating to 1.45 trillion KRW
- Number of pet-owning households in South Korea reached 5.7 million in 2023, representing 28% of total households
- Dog ownership in Korea: 6.2 million dogs as pets in 2023, up 8% from 2022
- Cat population in South Korea: 2.8 million in 2023, growing at 12% annually
- Premium dry dog food sales volume: 450,000 tons in 2023
- Wet cat food market share: 22% of total pet food, 620 billion KRW in 2023
- Organic pet food sales growth: 35% YoY to 150 billion KRW in 2023
- Pet collar and leash sales: 250 billion KRW in 2023, 18% growth
- Grooming product market: 380 billion KRW, led by shampoos in 2023
- Pet carrier and stroller sales volume: 1.2 million units in 2023
- 65% of pet owners spend over 100,000 KRW monthly on pets in 2023
- Humanization trend: 78% treat pets as family members in 2023 survey
- Online shopping preference: 62% of purchases via apps like Coupang in 2023
The South Korean pet industry is booming as more people treat their pets like family.
Market Size & Growth
- South Korean pet market size reached 4.68 trillion KRW in 2022, reflecting a 12.5% year-over-year growth driven by increased pet ownership
- Pet industry revenue in South Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2028, reaching 7.2 trillion KRW
- In 2023, the pet supplies segment accounted for 28% of the total Korean pet market value, equating to 1.45 trillion KRW
- South Korea's pet food market expanded by 15.3% in 2022 to 2.8 trillion KRW, fueled by premium product demand
- The overall pet care market in Korea hit 5.1 trillion KRW in 2023, with online sales contributing 35% growth
- Pet services sector in South Korea grew 18% YoY in 2022, valued at 650 billion KRW
- Korean pet market CAGR stood at 10.1% from 2018-2022, outpacing general consumer goods
- By 2025, South Korean pet industry expected to reach 6.5 trillion KRW, per industry forecasts
- Pet grooming and boarding services market in Korea valued at 420 billion KRW in 2023, up 22%
- E-commerce pet sales in South Korea surged 40% in 2023 to 1.8 trillion KRW
- Total pet-related expenditures in Korea reached 5.3 trillion KRW in 2023
- Pet healthcare market segment grew 25% YoY to 380 billion KRW in 2022
- South Korea pet industry export value hit 150 billion KRW in 2023
- Domestic pet product manufacturing revenue: 2.1 trillion KRW in 2022
- Pet apparel and accessories market: 320 billion KRW in 2023, 14% growth
- Korean pet market penetration rate: 32% of households in 2023, boosting market to 5.4T KRW
- Veterinary services revenue: 550 billion KRW in 2022, 20% YoY increase
- Pet insurance market in Korea: 120 billion KRW premiums in 2023
- Offline pet retail stores revenue: 2.9 trillion KRW in 2023
- Pet toy market size: 180 billion KRW in 2022
- South Korea pet market share of Asia-Pacific: 8.5% in 2023, valued at 5.2T KRW
- Premium pet food segment growth: 28% to 1.2T KRW in 2023
- Pet cafe and hotel sector: 250 billion KRW in 2023
- Korean pet industry FDI inflows: 45 billion KRW in 2022
- Total pet supply chain value: 3.8 trillion KRW in 2023
- Pet training services market: 90 billion KRW, 16% growth in 2023
- Online pet marketplace GMV: 2.2 trillion KRW in 2023
- Pet waste management products: 65 billion KRW market in 2022
- South Korea pet market digital ad spend: 180 billion KRW in 2023
- Overall pet industry employment: 120,000 jobs in 2023, supporting 5.5T KRW economy
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
South Korea's pet industry has become a furry freight train of economic growth, hurtling past 5 trillion won and into 32% of households, propelled by equal parts love and premium kibble.
Pet Food & Nutrition
- Premium dry dog food sales volume: 450,000 tons in 2023
- Wet cat food market share: 22% of total pet food, 620 billion KRW in 2023
- Organic pet food sales growth: 35% YoY to 150 billion KRW in 2023
- Grain-free dog food penetration: 28% of dog owners in 2023 survey
- Puppy food segment: 180 billion KRW, 15% market share in 2023
- Imported pet food import value: 1.1 trillion KRW in 2023, 65% from US/EU
- Senior pet food sales: 240 billion KRW, targeting aging pets in 2023
- Raw/fresh pet food trend: 12% adoption rate, 90 billion KRW market 2023
- Functional pet treats market: 110 billion KRW in 2023, up 20%
- Cat litter sales volume: 120,000 tons annually in 2023
- Hypoallergenic food demand: 18% of purchases for allergic pets 2023
- Pet food e-commerce share: 45% of sales, 1.3T KRW in 2023
- Freeze-dried pet food growth: 42% to 75 billion KRW 2023
- Nutritional supplement sales for pets: 320 billion KRW in 2023
- Vegan pet food niche: 25 billion KRW market emerging in 2023
- Canned pet food consumption: 85,000 tons in 2023
- Personalized pet food subscriptions: 150,000 subscribers, 60B KRW 2023
- Omega-3 enriched foods: 40% of premium segment in 2023
- Pet food R&D investment: 180 billion KRW by top firms 2023
- Low-calorie pet food sales: 95 billion KRW for overweight pets 2023
- Insect-based pet food trials: 5% market trial, 30B KRW 2023
- Probiotic pet food penetration: 22% of cat food in 2023
- Pet milk and dairy alternatives: 55 billion KRW sales 2023
- AAFCO-compliant imported food: 70% of premium imports 2023
- Pet food waste reduction initiatives saved 20,000 tons in 2023
- Dog food average price per kg: 12,500 KRW for premium in 2023
Pet Food & Nutrition Interpretation
South Korea's pet industry is feeding a nation of four-legged gourmands and hypochondriacs, where premium kibble is measured by the ton, cats command a wet-food empire worth hundreds of billions, and discerning owners are investing more in freeze-dried delicacies and personalized subscriptions than many countries spend on their own human populations.
Pet Population & Ownership
- Number of pet-owning households in South Korea reached 5.7 million in 2023, representing 28% of total households
- Dog ownership in Korea: 6.2 million dogs as pets in 2023, up 8% from 2022
- Cat population in South Korea: 2.8 million in 2023, growing at 12% annually
- 34% of Korean millennials (aged 25-39) own pets, highest demographic in 2023 survey
- Urban pet ownership rate: 42% in Seoul metropolitan area in 2023
- Small dog breeds (under 10kg) comprise 65% of pet dogs in Korea, 4.1 million in 2023
- Pet registration numbers: 4.5 million registered pets in 2023, mandatory for dogs
- Single-person households pet ownership: 52% in 2023, driving population growth
- Exotic pet ownership: 450,000 reptiles and birds in Korea 2023
- Female pet owners: 58% of total in 2023 national survey
- Pet ownership in Busan: 1.2 million pets for 720k households in 2023
- Aging population pet adoption: 22% of over-60s own pets in 2023
- Multi-pet households: 28% own 2+ pets, averaging 1.8 pets per owner in 2023
- Dog-to-human ratio: 1 pet dog per 8.5 people in Korea 2023
- Cat cafes boosting ownership: 150,000 new cat owners from cafes in 2023
- Pet abandonment rate: 1.2% of population, 75,000 cases in 2023
- Imported pet breeds: 35% of dogs are foreign breeds like Pomeranian in 2023
- Rural pet ownership: 18% of households vs 35% urban in 2023
- Pet DNA registration: 2.1 million samples in 2023 for ownership verification
- Young adult (20-29) ownership: 45% rate in 2023
- Total companion animals: 9.5 million including dogs, cats, others in 2023
- High-rise apartment pet ownership: 55% in Seoul apartments 2023
- Pet microchipping rate: 62% among dog owners in 2023
- Family with children pet ownership: 41% have pets in 2023
- Pet hamster and small mammal ownership: 180,000 in 2023
- Ownership growth post-COVID: 25% increase since 2020 to 5.8M households 2023
Pet Population & Ownership Interpretation
In Seoul, where loneliness climbs as high as the apartments, South Korea’s 9.5 million pets have become the leading answer to urban isolation, proving that companionship now has more paws, scales, and feathers than ever before.
Pet Products & Services
- Pet collar and leash sales: 250 billion KRW in 2023, 18% growth
- Grooming product market: 380 billion KRW, led by shampoos in 2023
- Pet carrier and stroller sales volume: 1.2 million units in 2023
- Veterinary clinic numbers: 4,500 clinics nationwide in 2023
- Pet hotel occupancy rate: 75% average in peak seasons 2023
- Smart pet feeders sold: 450,000 units, IoT trend in 2023
- Pet clothing sales: 420 billion KRW, seasonal spikes in 2023
- Boarding service revenue per stay: average 150,000 KRW in 2023
- Pet camera device market: 120 billion KRW in 2023
- Grooming salon visits: 12 million annually in 2023
- Pet bed and furniture sales: 280 billion KRW, ergonomic designs 2023
- Daycare centers for pets: 1,800 facilities, 500,000 enrollments 2023
- Walking service apps users: 2.5 million in 2023
- Pet waste bag sales: 80 million packs, biodegradable 40% in 2023
- Training toy sales: 95 billion KRW, interactive types popular 2023
- Spa and massage services: 150 billion KRW revenue 2023
- GPS tracker collars: 300,000 units sold in 2023
- Pet bakery products: 65 billion KRW, custom cakes rising 2023
- Mobile vet services: 1,200 providers, 2 million visits 2023
- Hygiene product market (wipes etc.): 220 billion KRW 2023
- Pet stroller ownership: 15% of dog owners in urban areas 2023
- Emergency pet hospital beds: 5,200 across Korea in 2023
- Custom pet furniture orders: 180,000 in 2023
- Pet photography services: 450,000 sessions booked 2023
- Dental care kits sales: 110 billion KRW 2023
Pet Products & Services Interpretation
Korea's pet industry shows a nation treating companion animals with such meticulous care—from 450,000 smart feeders to 1,800 daycare centers—that the line between pampered pet and furry family member has not just blurred but been enthusiastically erased.
Trends & Consumer Insights
- 65% of pet owners spend over 100,000 KRW monthly on pets in 2023
- Humanization trend: 78% treat pets as family members in 2023 survey
- Online shopping preference: 62% of purchases via apps like Coupang in 2023
- Sustainability focus: 45% prefer eco-friendly products in 2023
- Pet birthday celebrations: 52% of owners host events annually 2023
- Health monitoring wearables adoption: 28% of dog owners in 2023
- Subscription box services: 1.8 million subscribers in 2023
- Gender shift: Women driving 70% of premium purchases 2023
- Travel with pets: 35% plan pet-friendly trips in 2024 survey 2023
- Social media influence: 60% discover products via Instagram 2023
- Personalized products demand: 40% seek custom items 2023
- Mental health benefits: 72% report reduced stress from pets 2023
- Luxury pet brands loyalty: 55% repeat buy from top 5 brands 2023
- Night-time pet care routines: 68% use tech for monitoring 2023
- Vegan/plant-based pet trends: 15% interest growth 2023
- Pet influencer economy: 1,200 influencers with 50M followers 2023
- Return to office impact: 42% increased daycare use post-2023
- AR pet try-on apps: 25% usage among young owners 2023
- Community events attendance: 3.5 million at pet fairs 2023
- Insurance adoption: 18% of owners insured pets in 2023, up from 10%
- Gift-giving to pets: 48% buy gifts during holidays 2023
- Tech integration: 38% use apps for health tracking 2023
- Local vs import preference: 52% shift to Korean brands 2023
- Multi-species ownership: 12% own both dog and cat 2023
Trends & Consumer Insights Interpretation
Korean pets have officially become the nation's most pampered, tech-savvy, and sustainably-minded family members, with their owners spending lavishly online, celebrating their birthdays, and tracking their every blink via app, proving that the line between pet care and premium lifestyle management has not just blurred but been enthusiastically deleted.
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