South Korea’s beverage market is moving toward health and premium choices even as some categories shrink. Bottled water consumption reached 68 liters per capita in 2023, up 6.5% from the prior year, while carbonated soft drinks fell 2.1% to 1.2 billion liters. Soju sales totaled 85.6 million cases in 2023, down 1.2% year over year, yet premium brands grew 8%.
Key Takeaways
- Soju sales volume in South Korea was 85.6 million cases in 2023, down 1.2% YoY but premium brands grew 8%.
- 68% of South Koreans aged 20-39 consumed delivery food weekly in 2023, up from 52% in 2020.
- Instant noodle production hit 8.92 billion packs in 2023, with exports reaching 2.1 billion packs.
- In 2023, the South Korean food and beverage market was valued at USD 152.3 billion, reflecting a CAGR of 4.2% from 2019-2023 due to increased e-commerce penetration.
- F&B exports from South Korea totaled USD 10.2 billion in 2023, up 8.7% YoY led by instant noodles.
South Korea’s food and beverage industry is steadily growing, driven by rising consumer demand and exports.
Related reading
01 · Category
Beverage Industry19 stats
01
Soju sales volume in South Korea was 85.6 million cases in 2023, down 1.2% YoY but premium brands grew 8%.
02
Beer market share in South Korea was led by HiteJinro at 42% volume in 2023, with craft beer segment expanding to 5%.
03
Bottled water consumption per capita in South Korea reached 68 liters in 2023, up 6.5% from 2022 due to health trends.
04
Carbonated soft drinks sales declined 2.1% in volume to 1.2 billion liters in 2023, shifting to zero-sugar variants.
05
Ready-to-drink tea market grew to USD 2.1 billion in 2023, with green tea variants holding 55% share.
06
Coffee consumption per capita in South Korea was 192 cups annually in 2023, highest in Asia, boosting cafe chain expansions.
07
Functional beverage sales surged 12% to KRW 1.8 trillion in 2023, led by energy drinks at 40% segment share.
08
Milk and dairy beverage production totaled 2.45 million tons in 2023, with plant-based alternatives up 22% YoY.
09
Alcoholic beverage exports from South Korea hit USD 450 million in 2023, soju comprising 65% of volume.
10
Juice market value reached USD 1.9 billion in 2023, with 100% fruit juices growing 7% amid premiumization.
11
Craft beer production volume hit 25,000 kiloliters in 2023, up 28% YoY.
12
Energy drink market value was USD 650 million in 2023, Monster holding 30% share.
13
Yogurt sales volume increased to 450,000 tons in 2023, probiotic variants at 40%.
14
Imported wine consumption reached 120 million liters in 2023, France at 35% origin share.
15
Sports drink sales surged 18% post-Olympics to KRW 900 billion in 2023.
16
Traditional liquor (Yakju) production was 15,000 kiloliters in 2023, niche growth 10%.
17
Bottled green tea exports totaled USD 50 million in 2023, Vietnam key market.
18
Pet food market, adjacent to F&B, grew to USD 1.4 billion but humanized treats up 20%.
19
Canned coffee sales volume was 350 million units in 2023, convenience-driven.
Interpretation
Beverage Industry Interpretation
While South Koreans are drinking slightly less overall soju and soda, they are increasingly choosing to sip premium brands, craft beers, and health-conscious options like bottled water and zero-sugar variants, proving that their palates are becoming more discerning even as their coffee consumption and cafe culture lead Asia.
02 · Category
Consumer and Retail19 stats
01
68% of South Koreans aged 20-39 consumed delivery food weekly in 2023, up from 52% in 2020.
02
Health food supplement market grew to KRW 6.5 trillion in 2023, vitamins leading at 35% share.
03
Convenience store F&B sales accounted for 45% of total revenue in 2023, reaching KRW 22 trillion.
04
Plant-based food adoption rate among urban consumers was 24% in 2023, preferring meat alternatives.
05
K-food trend boosted domestic sales of bibimbap kits by 28% in 2023 among millennials.
06
Average monthly F&B spending per household was KRW 850,000 in 2023, food at home 60% of total.
07
Online grocery penetration reached 22% of F&B retail in 2023, Coupang leading at 40% share.
08
Zero-calorie beverage preference among women aged 25-34 was 41% in 2023 surveys.
09
Street food consumption frequency was 3.2 times monthly per capita in Seoul 2023.
10
Premium ice cream sales volume increased 7.5% to 120,000 tons in 2023, artisanal flavors key.
11
55% of consumers prefer low-sodium products in 2023 Nielsen survey.
12
Cafe visits per capita were 150 annually in 2023, Starbucks 35% share.
13
Meal kit subscription users grew 40% to 1.2 million in 2023.
14
Allergy-free food demand up 22%, gluten-free at 45% of category.
15
Night market F&B sales totaled KRW 2.5 trillion in 2023 Seoul area.
16
Probiotic supplement intake daily among 30% of adults in 2023.
17
Discount store F&B share was 28% of sales in 2023, private label up.
18
Fermented food consumption per capita 12kg annually in 2023.
19
Gender divide: women 62% prefer healthy snacks vs men 41% in 2023.
Interpretation
Consumer and Retail Interpretation
South Korea's taste buds are staging a generational coup, where the relentless convenience of weekly delivery and convenience store snacks is being frantically offset by a boom in health supplements, low-sodium bibimbap kits, and guilt-free artisanal ice cream.
03 · Category
Food Industry19 stats
01
Instant noodle production hit 8.92 billion packs in 2023, with exports reaching 2.1 billion packs.
02
Kimchi production volume was 1.18 million tons in 2023, down 3% due to smaller household sizes.
03
Processed meat sales grew to KRW 5.6 trillion in 2023, with ready-to-eat products up 9.2% YoY.
04
Bakery products market valued at USD 6.2 billion in 2023, bread segment at 48% share with health-focused variants rising.
05
Frozen food consumption increased 11% to 1.45 million tons in 2023, driven by convenience for single households.
06
Snack food market reached USD 4.8 billion in 2023, savory snacks at 52% with seaweed crisps popular.
07
Confectionery sales volume was 285,000 tons in 2023, chocolate growing 5% despite sugar tax impacts.
08
Ready meals market expanded to USD 3.1 billion in 2023, home meal replacement up 14% YoY.
09
Soy sauce production totaled 785,000 kiloliters in 2023, traditional variants holding 62% market share.
10
Edible oil consumption was 1.2 million tons in 2023, with olive oil imports rising 18%.
11
Tteokbokki sauce production reached 120,000 tons in 2023, exports doubling.
12
Poultry meat production totaled 1.65 million tons in 2023, chicken nuggets popular.
13
Pasta market value hit USD 450 million in 2023, premium imports rising.
14
Infant formula sales were KRW 1.1 trillion in 2023, organic up 12%.
15
Seaweed snack exports reached USD 300 million in 2023, USA 50% share.
16
Functional cereal production increased 9% to 250,000 tons in 2023.
17
Pickled vegetable output was 320,000 tons in 2023, radish dominant.
18
Plant-based meat sales volume hit 15,000 tons in 2023, burgers leading.
19
Noodle sauce market grew to KRW 800 billion in 2023, spicy variants 55%.
Interpretation
Food Industry Interpretation
South Korea's 2023 food industry tells a tale of two tables: a nation so devoted to instant ramyeon it could circle the globe, while simultaneously trading homemade kimchi for a surge in premium frozen meals and plant-based burgers, proving that convenience and tradition are having a very spicy, and lucrative, stand-off in the modern kitchen.
More related reading
04 · Category
Overall Market Statistics15 stats
01
In 2023, the South Korean food and beverage market was valued at USD 152.3 billion, reflecting a CAGR of 4.2% from 2019-2023 due to increased e-commerce penetration.
02
The F&B sector contributed 2.8% to South Korea's GDP in 2022, employing over 2.1 million people across manufacturing and retail.
03
Foodservice sales in South Korea reached KRW 45.6 trillion in 2023, up 5.1% YoY, driven by post-pandemic recovery and tourism rebound.
04
The packaged food market in South Korea grew to USD 38.7 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 3.8% through 2028.
05
Beverage market revenue in South Korea hit USD 28.4 billion in 2022, accounting for 19% of total F&B sales amid health-conscious shifts.
06
South Korea's F&B e-commerce sales surged to KRW 18.2 trillion in 2023, representing 12.5% of total retail F&B sales.
07
Inflation in South Korea's F&B sector averaged 3.9% in 2023, higher than the national CPI due to global commodity price hikes.
08
The number of F&B manufacturing firms in South Korea stood at 12,450 in 2022, with SMEs comprising 92% of the total.
09
Per capita F&B expenditure in South Korea was USD 2,950 in 2023, with food at home spending rising 4.2% YoY.
10
Organic food sales in South Korea reached KRW 1.2 trillion in 2023, growing at 15% annually since 2020.
11
In 2023, South Korea's F&B wholesale market turnover was KRW 320 trillion, with logistics costs at 8% of total.
12
Vegan product launches in South Korea increased 35% in 2023, reaching 250 new SKUs.
13
The HMR (Home Meal Replacement) segment grew 16.2% to KRW 4.1 trillion in 2023.
14
F&B R&D investment by major firms totaled KRW 1.2 trillion in 2023, 2.5% of sales.
15
Sustainability packaging adoption in F&B reached 65% of new products in 2023.
Interpretation
Overall Market Statistics Interpretation
Amid soaring inflation and a relentless shift online, South Korea's food and beverage sector is a high-stakes kitchen where everyone is now cooking, from the 92% of small-scale manufacturers to the health-conscious consumers whose hungry clicks are fueling a $152 billion market.
05 · Category
Trade and International17 stats
01
F&B exports from South Korea totaled USD 10.2 billion in 2023, up 8.7% YoY led by instant noodles.
02
Ramen exports reached USD 850 million in 2023, China absorbing 45% of volume.
03
Agricultural product imports to South Korea were USD 28.5 billion in 2023, grains at 32% share.
04
Soju exports grew 15% to 120 million liters in 2023, USA market up 25%.
05
Seafood exports hit USD 2.3 billion in 2023, processed items like squid rings leading.
06
Kimchi exports volume was 45,000 tons in 2023, Japan taking 60% share.
07
Beef imports totaled 350,000 tons in 2023, Australia supplying 48%.
08
Rice imports reached 400,000 tons in 2023 under WTO minimum access commitments.
09
Processed food exports to USA were USD 1.8 billion in 2023, snacks up 12%.
10
F&B imports from USA were USD 5.6 billion in 2023, beef top item.
11
Instant coffee exports USD 200 million in 2023, Asia 70% destination.
12
Dairy imports totaled USD 2.8 billion in 2023, cheese up 15%.
13
Processed fruit exports reached USD 150 million in 2023, jams key.
14
EU-FTA boosted wine imports by 10% to USD 400 million in 2023.
15
Frozen seafood exports USD 1.2 billion in 2023, Vietnam processing hub.
16
Corn imports for feed 12.5 million tons in 2023, USA 75%.
17
Cosmetics-food crossover like collagen drinks exported USD 100m 2023.
Interpretation
Trade and International Interpretation
While instant noodles are conquering the world one package at a time, South Korea’s own pantry reveals a deliciously complex trade deficit, thriving as a global snack powerhouse that still can’t resist imported beef and grains.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). South Korea Food And Beverage Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-food-and-beverage-industry-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "South Korea Food And Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/south-korea-food-and-beverage-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "South Korea Food And Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-food-and-beverage-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
31 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level