PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Retail faces rising threat from foodservice
Foodservice channels such as frozen yogurt cafés, artisanal gelato shops, and dessert cafés are drawing attention from younger consumers. These outlets offer freshness and indulgence that packaged ice cream often lacks - especially appealing to Generation z and millennials who value taste and experience.
Product innovation and differentiation needed to offset cannibalisation and volume decline
South Korean consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and selective about ingredients. Traditional high-sugar, high-fat ice cream products are seeing reduced purchase frequency, as more consumers seek guilt-free indulgence.
A longer summer brings opportunities, as well as heightened competition with alternatives
South Korea is experiencing longer and hotter summers due to abnormal climate patterns, which may positively impact seasonal demand for ice cream. However, this benefit is likely to be limited, as extreme heat often drives consumers toward hydration-focused products such as iced teas, sparkling water and sports drinks.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Ice Cream industry in South Korea with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Ice Cream industry in South Korea, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Ice Cream in South Korea report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Ice Cream in South Korea?
- Which are the leading brands in Ice Cream in South Korea?
- How are products distributed in Ice Cream in South Korea?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Ice Cream?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in South Korea?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Ice Cream in South Korea - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cannibalisation and foodservice diversion lead to flat performance for ice cream
Stable leaders and disruptive challengers
Convenience and accessibility as key decision drivers
Retail faces rising threat from foodservice
Product innovation and differentiation needed to offset cannibalisation and volume decline
A longer summer brings opportunities, as well as heightened competition with alternatives
Snacks in South Korea - Industry Overview
Snacks in 2025: The big picture
Key trends in 2025
Competitive Landscape
Channel developments
What next for snacks?
DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Ice Cream
- Frozen Yoghurt
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- Single Portion Dairy Ice Cream
- Single Portion Water Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Unpackaged Ice Cream
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- Bulk Dairy Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Desserts
- Multi-Pack Dairy Ice Cream
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- Bulk Water Ice Cream
- Multi-Pack Water Ice Cream
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Ice Cream
Ice cream is the aggregation of frozen yoghurt, impulse ice cream, plant-based ice cream, unpackaged ice cream and take-home ice cream. Frozen desserts is included in Passport’s Staple Foods research. Please note that soft serve ice cream from ice cream dispensing machines sold at foodservice outlets (e.g. fast food or ice cream parlours) is entirely excluded.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Ice Cream research and analysis database.
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