From soaring growth in premium coffee and plant-based alternatives to a staggering national appetite for instant noodles and home meal kits, the South Korean F&B industry is a dynamic, multi-trillion-won powerhouse where tradition and hyper-modern trends are constantly redefining what's on the table.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the total market size of South Korea's food and beverage industry reached approximately 198.5 trillion KRW, marking a 4.2% year-on-year growth driven by increased domestic consumption and premiumization trends.
- The beverage segment within South Korea's F&B industry generated 25.6 trillion KRW in revenue in 2023, with non-alcoholic drinks accounting for 62% of that figure.
- South Korea's overall F&B market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2023 to 2028, reaching 248 trillion KRW by 2028.
- In 2023, 68% of South Korean consumers aged 20-39 preferred plant-based or vegan food options in F&B purchases.
- 74% of South Koreans reported increasing intake of health-functional foods post-COVID, per 2023 survey.
- Convenience store food purchases accounted for 52% of daily meals among urban millennials in 2023.
- Rice consumption per capita dropped to 56.4 kg in 2023 from 58.1 kg in 2022.
- South Korea produced 5.8 million tons of vegetables in 2023, with cabbage leading at 2.9 million tons.
- Pork production reached 1.52 million tons in 2023, up 2.1% due to domestic breed improvements.
- South Korea exported F&B products worth 10.9 billion USD in 2023, up 7.2% YoY.
- Instant noodles were the top F&B export, valued at 1.2 billion USD to China in 2023.
- Kimchi exports grew 15% to 350 million USD in 2023, targeting Japan and US.
- F&B industry employed 2.8 million people in 2023, 10.5% of total workforce.
- Food manufacturing sector had 450,000 direct jobs in 2023, average wage 42 million KRW.
- Restaurant industry provided 1.9 million jobs in 2023, with 25% part-time workers.
South Korea's F&B industry is thriving due to rising health trends and convenient premium products.
Consumer Preferences and Trends
- In 2023, 68% of South Korean consumers aged 20-39 preferred plant-based or vegan food options in F&B purchases.
- 74% of South Koreans reported increasing intake of health-functional foods post-COVID, per 2023 survey.
- Convenience store food purchases accounted for 52% of daily meals among urban millennials in 2023.
- 61% of consumers prefer low-sugar beverages, leading to 15% market shift in 2022-2023.
- Home meal replacement (HMR) products saw 28% consumption increase among working women in 2023.
- 55% of South Koreans aged 50+ prioritize organic and natural ingredients in F&B choices, 2023 data.
- Delivery app usage for F&B reached 82% penetration among 18-29 year olds in Seoul, 2023.
- Premium coffee consumption grew 11% YoY in 2023, with 3.2 cups per capita weekly.
- 47% of consumers avoid plastic-packaged F&B due to sustainability concerns, per 2023 poll.
- K-beauty influenced F&B with 35% rise in collagen-infused drinks sales in 2023.
- 72% of households increased ready-to-eat meal spending by 20% in 2023 amid busy lifestyles.
- Craft beer preference rose to 29% among 20-34 year olds, displacing traditional soju slightly.
- 64% of consumers seek K-food fusion products like kimchi tacos in 2023 trends.
- Per capita F&B spending hit 4.2 million KRW annually in 2023, up 6% from 2022.
- 59% prefer single-serve packaging for snacks, boosting portion-controlled sales by 14%.
- 76% of South Koreans consume ramyeon weekly, with spicy flavors holding 68% preference.
- 81% of urban consumers prefer eco-friendly F&B packaging in 2024 surveys.
- Low-carb diet trends boosted keto-friendly F&B sales by 22% in 2023.
- 67% of Gen Z favor bubble tea and milk tea variants weekly.
- Sugar reduction demand led to 18% growth in zero-sugar sodas.
- HMR market penetration reached 45% of households in 2023.
- 58% prioritize local ingredients for freshness in F&B.
- Cafe visits averaged 4.5 times monthly per person in 2023.
- Functional beverages like energy drinks up 13% in youth consumption.
- 49% avoid GMOs in F&B purchases per 2023 consumer report.
- Vegan cheese alternatives saw 30% sales hike in 2023.
- 69% of families buy organic baby food regularly.
- Street food consumption remains high at 62% preference among tourists.
- Fermented foods like makgeolli gained 21% popularity in health trends.
- Per capita soft drink consumption was 45 liters in 2023.
Consumer Preferences and Trends Interpretation
South Korea's food scene is a fascinating paradox where the relentless pursuit of health through plant-based and functional foods collides with the practical tyranny of convenience store meals and weekly ramyeon, all while being sustainably packaged, delivered by app, and increasingly spiked with collagen or craft beer.
Employment and Economic Impact
- F&B industry employed 2.8 million people in 2023, 10.5% of total workforce.
- Food manufacturing sector had 450,000 direct jobs in 2023, average wage 42 million KRW.
- Restaurant industry provided 1.9 million jobs in 2023, with 25% part-time workers.
- F&B contributed 2.1% to South Korea's GDP in 2023, totaling 48 trillion KRW.
- Beverage manufacturing employed 35,000 workers in 2023, turnover 28 trillion KRW.
- Foodservice SMEs numbered 850,000 in 2023, generating 120 trillion KRW revenue.
- 15% job growth in HMR production facilities from 2020-2023.
- F&B R&D investment reached 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023, employing 12,000 researchers.
- Logistics in F&B supported 250,000 jobs in 2023, with cold chain focus.
- Female workforce in F&B rose to 42% in 2023, especially in cafes.
- F&B wholesale trade employed 180,000 in 2023.
- R&D personnel in F&B firms: 15,000, up 10%.
- Cafe sector jobs: 450,000, highest growth at 8%.
- F&B export-related jobs: 120,000 direct.
- Manufacturing labor productivity: 150 million KRW per worker.
- Youth employment in F&B: 25% of total hires.
- Food processing SMEs: 95% of firms, 70% jobs.
- Average F&B worker tenure: 4.2 years.
- Gender pay gap in F&B: 28%, lower than average.
- Vocational training programs reached 50,000 F&B workers in 2023.
Employment and Economic Impact Interpretation
It is a vast and hungry engine, employing nearly three million people to not only feed the nation but also to fuel its economy, innovate at breakneck speed, and serve as a critical launchpad for youth and women, all while demanding that its armies of part-timers, baristas, and researchers somehow keep the kimchi refrigerated and the ideas fresh.
Market Overview and Size
- In 2022, the total market size of South Korea's food and beverage industry reached approximately 198.5 trillion KRW, marking a 4.2% year-on-year growth driven by increased domestic consumption and premiumization trends.
- The beverage segment within South Korea's F&B industry generated 25.6 trillion KRW in revenue in 2023, with non-alcoholic drinks accounting for 62% of that figure.
- South Korea's overall F&B market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2023 to 2028, reaching 248 trillion KRW by 2028.
- In 2023, the foodservice (restaurant and cafe) sector contributed 142 trillion KRW to the F&B industry, representing 71% of total F&B sales.
- Packaged food sales in South Korea hit 78.9 trillion KRW in 2022, with a 5.1% increase attributed to convenience store channels.
- The functional food and health supplement market in South Korea grew to 6.2 trillion KRW in 2023, up 12% YoY due to aging population demands.
- Alcoholic beverage market value stood at 18.4 trillion KRW in 2022, with soju maintaining 45% market share.
- South Korea's F&B e-commerce sales surged to 15.7 trillion KRW in 2023, comprising 8% of total industry revenue.
- Dairy products segment reached 12.3 trillion KRW in 2023, with yogurt and cheese driving 7.5% growth.
- Instant noodles market size was 2.1 trillion KRW in 2022, with per capita consumption at 80 packs annually.
- The total market size of South Korea's food and beverage industry was valued at 205 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Non-alcoholic beverage market revenue amounted to 16.8 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Projected F&B market growth rate is 4.1% CAGR through 2027.
- Food delivery services market hit 30 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Confectionery market size reached 4.5 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Pet food market within F&B grew to 1.1 trillion KRW in 2023.
- RTD tea beverages generated 3.2 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Online F&B sales projected at 20 trillion KRW by 2025.
- Edible oils and fats market was 2.8 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Snack food market valued at 7.6 trillion KRW in 2023.
Market Overview and Size Interpretation
South Korea's F&B industry is a well-oiled machine where everyone, from the health-conscious grandparent to the soju-sipping office worker to the convenience store ramen enthusiast, is diligently spending their way toward a quarter-quadrillion-won future, one premium yogurt and delivered meal at a time.
Production Statistics
- Rice consumption per capita dropped to 56.4 kg in 2023 from 58.1 kg in 2022.
- South Korea produced 5.8 million tons of vegetables in 2023, with cabbage leading at 2.9 million tons.
- Pork production reached 1.52 million tons in 2023, up 2.1% due to domestic breed improvements.
- Beer production volume was 1.76 billion liters in 2022, with HiteJinro as top producer.
- Kimchi production totaled 1.15 million tons in 2023, 85% from household and small factories.
- Milk production stood at 2.4 million tons in 2023, with 95% pasteurized.
- Processed food manufacturing output grew 4.7% to 120 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Chicken meat production hit 720,000 tons in 2023, driven by fast-food demand.
- Soju production volume reached 85 million cases in 2022, led by Jinro and Chum Churum.
- Seaweed (gim) production was 402,000 tons in 2023, 98% exported after processing.
- Bakery products output increased to 1.2 million tons in 2023, with bread at 65% share.
- Fruit juice concentrate production totaled 250,000 tons in 2023, mostly apple-based.
- Instant coffee production volume was 45,000 tons in 2022, per capita 2.1 kg.
- Beef production reached 280,000 tons in 2023, with Hanwoo breed at 52%.
- Soybean production totaled 150,000 tons in 2023.
- Apple production reached 450,000 tons, top fruit crop.
- Canned seafood output was 180,000 tons in 2023.
- Tteokbokki sauce production hit 50,000 tons annually.
- Fermented soybean paste (doenjang) production: 320,000 tons.
- Ice cream production volume: 280,000 tons in 2023.
- Gochujang (chili paste) output: 280,000 tons.
- Mineral water production: 1.5 billion liters in 2023.
- Noodles (non-instant) production: 900,000 tons.
- Honey production: 38,000 tons, mostly acacia variety.
- Chocolate confectionery: 45,000 tons produced.
- Makgeolli production: 45,000 kiloliters in 2023.
Production Statistics Interpretation
While Koreans are eating slightly less rice, their love for kimchi, pork, soju, and every conceivable processed food—from tteokbokki sauce to chicken for fast food—proves that the nation's appetite is as industrious and evolving as its food production lines.
Trade (Exports/Imports)
- South Korea exported F&B products worth 10.9 billion USD in 2023, up 7.2% YoY.
- Instant noodles were the top F&B export, valued at 1.2 billion USD to China in 2023.
- Kimchi exports grew 15% to 350 million USD in 2023, targeting Japan and US.
- Ramen exports reached 1.8 billion USD in 2023, with 70% to Asia.
- Alcoholic beverages exports hit 450 million USD in 2023, soju leading at 60%.
- Seaweed exports totaled 2.1 billion USD in 2023, 75% to China and Japan.
- Processed seafood exports were 2.4 billion USD in 2023, up 5%.
- F&B imports into South Korea reached 25.6 billion USD in 2023, mainly grains and meat.
- Beef imports amounted to 4.2 billion USD in 2023, 85% from Australia and US.
- Corn imports for F&B/feed hit 12.5 million tons valued at 3.8 billion USD in 2023.
- Wine imports grew 8% to 650 million USD in 2023, France at 45% share.
- F&B exports to US reached 2.1 billion USD in 2023.
- Imports of tropical fruits: 1.2 billion USD, mainly bananas.
- Coffee bean imports: 450,000 tons valued at 2.5 billion USD.
- Soybean oil imports: 1.8 million tons in 2023.
- Cheese imports grew to 250,000 tons, 1.1 billion USD.
- Frozen meat imports: 3.5 billion USD in 2023.
- Cocoa products imports: 120,000 tons for chocolate making.
- F&B trade surplus narrowed to 500 million USD in 2023.
- Ramen exports to Vietnam: 400 million USD.
- Health functional food exports: 800 million USD, to China mainly.
- Snack exports to Southeast Asia: 600 million USD growth area.
Trade (Exports/Imports) Interpretation
South Korea's culinary diplomacy is a thrillingly imbalanced tango, where the world eagerly consumes its packaged comfort and umami-rich staples while the nation itself hungrily imports the raw materials and indulgences to fuel both its kitchens and its export machine.
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