COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Lotte leads RTD coffee amidst fierce competition for MZ consumers
In 2025, Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co Ltd maintained its leading position in RTD coffee in South Korea in off-trade volume terms, with its brands Lotte Let's Be, Cantata, and Cantata Contrabass securing the top three spots. However, RTD coffee is increasingly defined by fierce competition among major players, including Lotte's brands, Dongsuh Foods' Top and Starbucks, Coca-Cola Korea's Georgia, Binggrae's A Café La, and Maeil Dairies' Barista Rules.
How major franchised coffee brands are reshaping RTD coffee in South Korea
Major franchised coffee brands are significantly reshaping RTD coffee in South Korea by leveraging their robust brand equity and established consumer trust. These players are effectively extending their café experiences into RTD coffee, thereby accelerating premiumisation and intensifying the competition across the category.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the RTD Coffee 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.
If you're in the RTD Coffee 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 RTD Coffee 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 RTD Coffee in South Korea?
- To what extent are health considerations impacting consumption of RTD Coffee in South Korea?
- How are changing social attitudes and legislation (eg sugar tax) reshaping demand and consumption?
- How are changing demographics (for example, an ageing or predominantly young population) determining consumption of RTD Coffee in South Korea?
- Which are the leading brands in RTD Coffee in South Korea?
- What potential exists for multinational or domestic soft drinks companies to expand in South Korea?
- How are products distributed in RTD Coffee in South Korea?
- How is the rise of e-commerce changing the retail and competitive landscape?
- How have home seclusion and social distancing measures following COVID-19 impacted sales of RTD Coffee?
- How are sustainability issues, such as environmentally-friendly packaging, legislation on recyclability, or the amount of plastic in bottles, impacting the soft drinks industry?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
RTD Coffee in South Korea - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
RTD coffee adapts to new consumer demands and dynamics
RTD coffee faces decline amidst category fatigue and rising costs
RTD coffee brands adapt to consumer demand in South Korea
Despite forecast volume decline, premiumisation and decaffeination may offer hope
More players will adapt to MZ generation's demand for health and design
More players in RTD coffee likely to embrace sustainable innovation
Lotte leads RTD coffee amidst fierce competition for MZ consumers
How major franchised coffee brands are reshaping RTD coffee in South Korea
Convenience stores elevate quality and choice in RTD coffee in South Korea
E-commerce is key for innovation and brand building in RTD coffee
Soft Drinks in South Korea - Industry Overview
Health trends and channel shifts are reshaping soft drinks
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Health trends drive polarisation amidst static volumes
Inflation fuels shift to private label and varied pack sizes
Health-conscious consumers fuel premiumisation in soft drinks
Soft drinks embraces cultural trends for growth in South Korea
Health awareness and regulation to reshape soft drinks in South Korea
Players will move towards premiumisation, eco-packaging, and digital channels
Lotte Chilsung and Coca-Cola Drive Innovation and Health Trends
Character-led innovation drives dynamic growth for Paldo
Convenience stores is an important distribution channel due to on-the-go appeal
Retail e-commerce platforms are driving efficiency and value in soft drinks
Foodservice sees steady but sluggish recovery towards pre-pandemic levels
Fountain sales in South Korea
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
RTD Coffee
Includes packaged ready-to-drink coffee, consumed either hot or cold, made using a base of either brewed coffee or coffee extract. Excludes all coffee flavoured milk drinks that primarily target children, or where coffee is one of a number of flavours within the brand range. Leading brands in off-trade volume include Georgia, Nescafé and Suntory Boss.
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 RTD Coffee research and analysis database.
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