Volume sales stagnate but opportunities exist in adding value to the market
Economic pressures continue to limit volume gains in staple foods in 2025, with value growth being fuelled by a trend towards quality over quantity. Despite financial pressures, many consumers are showing growing concerns around the impact of their purchasing behaviour not only on their health, but also the health of the environment. This is encouraging players to offer healthier and more natural products, as well as switching to more sustainable packaging and production techniques.
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.
Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Staple Foods 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 Staple Foods 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 Staple Foods 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 Staple Foods in South Korea?
- Which are the leading brands in Staple Foods in South Korea?
- How are products distributed in Staple Foods 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 Staple Foods?
- 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?
Staple Foods in South Korea
Volume sales stagnate but opportunities exist in adding value to the market
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Volume sales stagnate while value growth is propelled by the search for healthier options
Health and sustainability on the menu as primary considerations
Rising production costs hit sweet treats
Growth expected to remain focused more on value than volume gains
Competition set to evolve through new product development and distribution strategies
Changing lifestyle behaviours expected to influence the future of staple foods
CJ Cheiljedang strengthens its leading position with its trusted product range
Nongshim and Ottogi provide stiff competition with tried and trusted products
Hypermarkets lead sales but convenience stores have become testing grounds
E-commerce continues to grow and develop
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Baked Goods in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Baked goods evolving to meet new consumption occasions
Bread transforming from an indulgent snack to a meal replacement option
Dessert bread retains its popularity but players rebrand to meet evolving trends
Producers of baked goods may need to feed off pop culture to stand out
Clean label products and digestibility set to outpace traditional health claims
Bakery-to-go expansion of bread into foodservice and hybrid meal formats
SPC maintains its leadership despite public backlash from safety incident
Private label on the rise with strong value proposition
Artisanal bakeries and hypermarkets dominate but convenience stores are making inroads
E-commerce still lags behind despite continued growth
Breakfast Cereals in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Breakfast cereals seeing polarisation of demand
Health-conscious consumers are reshaping the breakfast cereals market
Children’s breakfast cereals suffers from a shrinking target audience and an unhealthy image
Breakfast cereals under threat from evolving breakfast routines
Sugar reduction and functional benefits will be key to revitalising demand
Breakfast cereals offer potential as a topping ingredient in the foodservice channel
Traditional Cereal Brands Struggle to Compete Amid Functional Food and Snack Alternatives
Players use new IPs to expand their reach to a wider audience
Hypermarkets Still Dominate Cereal Sales, While E-Commerce Emerges as a More Viable Channel than CVS
E-commerce opening the market up to new opportunities
Processed Fruit and Vegetables in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Processed fruit and vegetables suffer from negative image perceptions
Health-focused consumers turn away from processed fruit and vegetables
Frozen fruit thriving as a more affordable alternative option to fresh fruit
Single portion ready-to-eat frozen fruit offers potential growth opportunity
Offering heathier options could be key to driving market development
Players under pressure to adapt to the changing needs of the market
Dongwon leads a fragmented market
Private label seeing dynamic growth
Hypermarkets and supermarkets dominate
E-commerce continues to grow while foodservice takes on a bigger role
Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives To Meat in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sales of processed meat, seafood and alternatives under pressure
Shelf stable products under pressure due to mounting health concerns
Processed meat and seafood find new opportunities as protein-rich snacks
Lifestyle shifts will accelerate demand for on-the-go protein formats
Health-conscious consumers will push the category toward clean label and plant-based innovation
Players likely to focus on format innovation and distribution strategies to gain share
Innovation remains a feature of the market
Private label making gains thanks to a more affordable positioning
E-commerce now the second largest distribution channel in the market
Convenience stores not just a sales point but also a testing point
Rice, Pasta and Noodles in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sales stagnate as consumers turn to alternative meal options
Sales stagnate as consumer tastes and preferences evolve
Players focus on adding value
Ready-to-eat rice to shift toward health, functionality, and personalisation
Noodles expected to serve as a testing ground
Premium and imported pasta set for growth
Nongshim retains a strong lead with ongoing investment new products and marketing
Leading players in rice and pasta facing increasing competition
E-commerce gaining prominence in rice and pasta
Convenience stores taking on an important role in instant noodles
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Staple Foods
-
-
-
- Packaged Flat Bread
- Unpackaged Flat Bread
-
- Packaged Leavened Bread
- Unpackaged Leavened Bread
-
-
- Packaged Cakes
- Unpackaged Cakes
- Dessert Mixes
- Frozen Baked Goods
-
- Packaged Pastries
- Unpackaged Pastries
-
- Sweet Pies and Tarts
- Frozen Cakes, Sweet Pies and Tarts
-
-
- Hot Cereals
-
- Children's Breakfast Cereals
-
- Flakes
- Muesli and Granola
- Other RTE Cereals
-
-
- Shelf Stable Beans
- Shelf Stable Fruit
- Shelf Stable Tomatoes
- Shelf Stable Vegetables
-
- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Processed Potatoes
- Frozen Processed Vegetables
-
-
-
-
- Shelf Stable Processed Red Meat
- Shelf Stable Processed Poultry
-
- Chilled Processed Red Meat
- Chilled Processed Poultry
-
- Frozen Processed Red Meat
- Frozen Processed Poultry
-
-
- Shelf Stable Seafood
- Chilled Processed Seafood
- Frozen Processed Seafood
-
- Chilled Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Frozen Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Shelf Stable Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Tofu and Derivatives
-
-
-
- Chilled Noodles
- Frozen Noodles
-
- Instant Noodle Cups
- Instant Noodle Pouches
- Plain Noodles
-
- Chilled Pasta
- Dried Pasta
- Rice
-
Staple Foods
NOTE: Couscous, polenta and quinoa are excluded from staple foods.
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 Staple Foods research and analysis database.
NEW REPORT GUARANTEE
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!