Select Country Report
Soft drinks in 2024: The big picture
Soft drinks in South Korea is set to maintain growth in both off-trade and on-trade volume and current value terms in 2024. However, the industry has been marked by significant shifts in consumer behaviour, driven by increasing health consciousness, inflationary pressures, and the desire for convenience.
2024 key trends
Across multiple categories, including RTD tea, energy drinks, and Asian speciality drinks, there is a strong consumer preference for reduced sugar and zero sugar products. Brands have been responding by launching new products which cater to this demand, such as Paldo Co Ltd’s Birak Sikhye Zero, and Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co Ltd’s Gatorade Zero, which are gaining significant traction.
Competitive landscape
In 2024, the competitive landscape of soft drinks in South Korea is expected to remain relatively stable, with no major shifts in the leadership. Lotte Chilsung Beverage is set to continue to hold its position as the leader in overall soft drinks in both off-trade volume and value terms, leveraging its extensive product portfolio and strong brand recognition across various categories.
Retailing developments
Convenience stores remains one of the primary distribution channels in many soft drinks categories, especially for RTD products such as tea and coffee. However, the importance of retail e-commerce has been growing rapidly, with this channel set to draw level with convenience stores in terms of off-trade volume sales of soft drinks in South Korea in 2024, although convenience stores will remain ahead in off-trade value terms.
Foodservice vs retail split
The foodservice (on-trade) channel has been slowly but steadily recovering from the significant dip it experienced during the pandemic, and exceeded the pre-pandemic level of volume sales in 2023. Nevertheless, as consumers have returned to cafés, restaurants, and other dining establishments, foodservice volume growth is set to continue in 2024, as there is renewed demand for premium and experiential soft drinks.
What next for soft drinks?
Looking ahead, soft drinks in South Korea is expected to continue to see on-trade and off-trade growth in both volume and current value terms. The industry will continue evolving, with a stronger focus on health and wellness, as well as sustainability, and personalised nutrition.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Soft Drinks 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 the following key categories, where applicable:
- Bottled Water
- Carbonates
- Concentrates
- Juice
- RTD Coffee
- RTD Tea
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
- Asian Speciality Drinks
If you're in the Soft Drinks 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 Soft Drinks 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 Soft Drinks in South Korea?
- To what extent are health considerations impacting consumption of Soft Drinks 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 Soft Drinks in South Korea?
- Which are the leading brands in Soft Drinks in South Korea?
- What potential exists for multinational or domestic soft drinks companies to expand in South Korea?
- How are products distributed in Soft Drinks 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 Soft Drinks?
- 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?
Soft Drinks in South Korea
Soft drinks in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retailing developments
Foodservice vs retail split
What next for soft drinks?
Table 1 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: Volume 2019-2024
Table 2 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 3 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 4 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 5 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Category: Volume 2024
Table 6 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Category: % Volume 2024
Table 7 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2024
Table 8 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value 2024
Table 9 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 10 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 11 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 12 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 13 Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
Table 14 Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 15 NBO Company Shares of Total Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
Table 16 LBN Brand Shares of Total Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
Table 17 NBO Company Shares of On-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
Table 18 LBN Brand Shares of On-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
Table 19 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
Table 20 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
Table 21 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks: % Value 2020-2024
Table 22 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks: % Value 2021-2024
Table 23 Penetration of Private Label in Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 24 Penetration of Private Label in Off-trade Soft Drinks by Category: % Value 2019-2024
Table 25 Distribution of Off-trade Soft Drinks (as sold) by Format: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 26 Distribution of Off-trade Soft Drinks (as sold) by Format and Category: % Volume 2024
Table 27 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: Volume 2024-2029
Table 28 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 29 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 30 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 31 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 32 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 33 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 34 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 35 Forecast Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: Volume 2024-2029
Table 36 Forecast Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Fountain sales in South Korea
Trends
DISCLAIMER
Summary 1 Research Sources
Bottled Water in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Shift in consumer perception of bottled water post-COVID-19
Surge in online sales and the popularity of private label
Growing interest in the mineral content of bottled water amongst young adults
Increasing competitiveness of private label lines
Navigating the low-margin nature of bottled water
Increasing consumer demand for premium and mineral-rich bottled water
Table 37 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 38 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 39 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 40 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 41 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 42 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 43 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Value 2020-2024
Table 44 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Value 2021-2024
Table 45 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 46 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 47 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 48 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Carbonates in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Proliferation of reduced sugar carbonates and their rising popularity
The booming popularity of tonic water
The rise of brand variants and online-only products
Continued growth of zero calorie and zero sugar carbonates
Strengthening presence on e-commerce platforms will be key
Expanding consumer preference for convenient and functional products
Table 49 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: Volume 2019-2024
Table 50 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: Value 2019-2024
Table 51 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 52 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 53 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 54 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 55 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 56 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 57 Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
Table 58 Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 59 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 60 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 61 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Value 2020-2024
Table 62 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Value 2021-2024
Table 63 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 64 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 65 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 66 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 67 Forecast Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: Volume 2024-2029
Table 68 Forecast Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Concentrates in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sales of concentrates are fairly static, although remain higher than pre-pandemic
The rise of functional and health-oriented powder concentrates
Importance of retail e-commerce
Expanding customisation and health-oriented options
Strengthening online presence and digital marketing strategies
Developing concentrates for mental wellness and cognitive function
Concentrates conversions
Summary 2 Concentrates Conversion Factors for Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Format
Table 69 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 70 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 71 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 72 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 73 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
Table 74 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Concentrates: % Value 2020-2024
Table 75 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Concentrates: % Value 2021-2024
Table 76 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Liquid Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
Table 77 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Liquid Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
Table 78 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Powder Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
Table 79 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Powder Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
Table 80 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 81 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 82 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 83 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Juice in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Decline in popularity of fruit juice
Rising interest in vegetable juice
Children’s juice products perform well despite the falling birth rate
Expansion of health and wellness trends in juice
Opportunities in children’s juice
The emergence of cold-pressed juices as a premium option
Table 84 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 85 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 86 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 87 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 88 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 89 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 90 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Value 2020-2024
Table 91 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Value 2021-2024
Table 92 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 93 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 94 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 95 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
RTD Coffee in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Declining demand amidst rising preference for experience-oriented coffee consumption
Brand loyalty drives sales for leading franchises
Importance of convenience stores as a distribution channel
Little sales growth expected, but opportunities remain
Emphasising functional benefits in RTD coffee
Leveraging premium and special edition RTD coffee
Table 96 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Volume 2019-2024
Table 97 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Value 2019-2024
Table 98 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 99 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 100 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 101 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 102 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Value 2020-2024
Table 103 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Value 2021-2024
Table 104 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Volume 2024-2029
Table 105 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Value 2024-2029
Table 106 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 107 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Value Growth 2024-2029
RTD Tea in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
The popularity of reduced sugar still RTD tea
Competitive landscape driven by promotions and sales through convenience stores
Emergence of functional RTD teas
Growing consumer interest in functional beverages
Importance of product differentiation in a promotion-driven market
Expansion of online sales channels for niche and premium RTD teas
Table 108 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 109 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 110 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 111 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 112 Leading Flavours for Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 113 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 114 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 115 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Value 2020-2024
Table 116 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Value 2021-2024
Table 117 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 118 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 119 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 120 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Energy Drinks in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Both reduced sugar and regular energy drinks see growth
Broadening consumer base due to lifestyle changes
Energy drinks benefits from the resurgence of social activities
Aligning energy drinks with the wellness trend
Expanding product offerings for active lifestyles
Capitalising on social consumption trends
Table 121 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Volume 2019-2024
Table 122 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Value 2019-2024
Table 123 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 124 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 125 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 126 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 127 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Value 2020-2024
Table 128 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Value 2021-2024
Table 129 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Volume 2024-2029
Table 130 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Value 2024-2029
Table 131 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 132 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Sports Drinks in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
The shift towards reduced sugar options
Increasing competition from bottled water, dietary supplements, and caffeinated beverages
Emerging consumer preference for natural and functional ingredients
Continued growth of the reduced sugar and wellness-oriented segments
Intensified competition from RTD tea, protein drinks, and powder concentrates
Opportunities in niche segments and customisation
Table 133 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Volume 2019-2024
Table 134 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Value 2019-2024
Table 135 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 136 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 137 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 138 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 139 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Value 2020-2024
Table 140 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Value 2021-2024
Table 141 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Volume 2024-2029
Table 142 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Value 2024-2029
Table 143 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 144 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Asian Speciality Drinks in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
K-drinks and a renewed interest in rice-based beverages
The “Grandmillennial” trend – embracing retro beverages
Ginseng-based drinks lose out to products offering scientific evidence of efficacy
Embracing functional ingredients in traditional beverages
Expanding the market for rice-based beverages
Catering to the needs of an ageing population with modernised K-drinks
Table 145 Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: Volume 2019-2024
Table 146 Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: Value 2019-2024
Table 147 Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 148 Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 149 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Asian Speciality Drinks: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 150 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Asian Speciality Drinks: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 151 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Asian Speciality Drinks: % Value 2020-2024
Table 152 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Asian Speciality Drinks: % Value 2021-2024
Table 153 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: Volume 2024-2029
Table 154 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: Value 2024-2029
Table 155 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 156 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: % Value Growth 2024-2029
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Soft Drinks
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-
- Carbonated Natural Mineral Bottled Water
- Carbonated Spring Bottled Water
- Carbonated Purified Bottled Water
-
- Still Flavoured Bottled Water
- Sparkling Flavoured Bottled Water
- Functional Bottled Water
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- Still Natural Mineral Bottled Water
- Still Spring Bottled Water
- Still Purified Bottled Water
-
-
- Regular Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Carbonates
-
- Regular Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Cola Carbonates
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- Regular Non-Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Non-Cola Carbonates
-
- Regular Lemonade/Lime
- Reduced Sugar Lemonade/Lime
-
- Regular Tonic Water/Mixers/Other Bitters
- Reduced Sugar Tonic Water/Mixers/Other Bitters
-
- Regular Orange Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Orange Carbonates
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- Regular Other Non-Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Other Non-Cola Carbonates
-
- Liquid Concentrates
- Powder Concentrates
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-
- Not from Concentrate 100% Juice
- Reconstituted 100% Juice
- Coconut and Other Plant Waters
- Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice)
- Nectars
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- RTD Coffee
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- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
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- Regular Still RTD Tea
- Reduced Sugar Still RTD Tea
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- Regular Energy Drinks
- Reduced Sugar Energy Drinks
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- Regular Sports Drinks
- Reduced Sugar Sports Drinks
- Asian Speciality Drinks
Soft Drinks
This is the aggregation of the following categories; Carbonates, Fruit/vegetable juice, Bottled water, Functional drinks, Concentrates, RTD tea, RTD coffee and Asian speciality drinks.
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