COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Lotte Chilsung maintains its lead, but Dongwon benefits from aggressive promotion
In 2025, Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co Ltd (with brands like Lipton, Lotte, and Brewing Kombucha), Kwang Dong Pharm Co Ltd (Kwangdong, Yawang), and Dongwon F&B Co Ltd (Bosung) collectively led the highly fragmented RTD tea category in South Korea in off-trade volume terms, together accounting for a quarter of sales. These established players drove growth through robust distribution networks and consistent consumer engagement.
Oi Ocha attracts younger consumers by incorporating matcha-based variants
In 2025, Nongshim Co Ltd emerged as the most dynamic company within RTD tea in South Korea, primarily driven by the rapid growth of its Oi Ocha brand. Supported by aggressive marketing campaigns and a strategic focus on younger consumers, Oi Ocha gained significant traction as a modern, health-conscious alternative to conventional tea formats.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the RTD Tea 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 Tea 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 Tea 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 Tea in South Korea?
- To what extent are health considerations impacting consumption of RTD Tea 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 Tea in South Korea?
- Which are the leading brands in RTD Tea in South Korea?
- What potential exists for multinational or domestic soft drinks companies to expand in South Korea?
- How are products distributed in RTD Tea 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 Tea?
- 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 Tea in South Korea - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Health and wellness trends and differentiation shape RTD tea in South Korea
RTD tea gains momentum as a wellness-driven beverage choice in South Korea
Functional RTD teas reshape South Korea's soft drinks landscape
Steady growth to be driven by innovation and health trends
RTD tea brands to capitalise on different tea bases and the wellness trend
Differentiation will be key to success in RTD tea in South Korea
Lotte Chilsung maintains its lead, but Dongwon benefits from aggressive promotion
Oi Ocha attracts younger consumers by incorporating matcha-based variants
Convenience stores reigns supreme in RTD tea distribution
Online retail reshapes RTD tea distribution and innovation in South Korea
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
The following categories and subcategories are included:
RTD Tea
- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
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- Regular Still RTD Tea
- Reduced Sugar Still RTD Tea
RTD Tea
This category includes all packaged products based on brewed tea or tea extract. May be sweetened or unsweetened, carbonated or still, with a wide variety of different flavourings. May contain juice.
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 Tea research and analysis database.
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