Staple Foods in South Korea

November 2025
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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
Table 1 Sales of Staple Foods by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 2 Sales of Staple Foods by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 3 Sales of Staple Foods by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 4 Sales of Staple Foods by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 5 NBO Company Shares of Staple Foods: % Value 2021-2025
Table 6 LBN Brand Shares of Staple Foods: % Value 2022-2025
Table 7 Penetration of Private Label by Category: % Value 2020-2025
Table 8 Distribution of Staple Foods by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 9 Forecast Sales of Staple Foods by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 10 Forecast Sales of Staple Foods by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 11 Forecast Sales of Staple Foods by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 12 Forecast Sales of Staple Foods by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030

COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER

Summary 1 Research Sources

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
Table 13 Sales of Baked Goods by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 14 Sales of Baked Goods by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 15 Sales of Baked Goods by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 16 Sales of Baked Goods by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 17 Sales of Pastries by Type: % Value 2020-2025
Table 18 NBO Company Shares of Baked Goods: % Value 2021-2025
Table 19 LBN Brand Shares of Baked Goods: % Value 2022-2025
Table 20 Distribution of Baked Goods by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 21 Forecast Sales of Baked Goods by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 22 Forecast Sales of Baked Goods by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 23 Forecast Sales of Baked Goods by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 24 Forecast Sales of Baked Goods by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030

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
Table 25 Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 26 Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 27 Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 28 Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 29 NBO Company Shares of Breakfast Cereals: % Value 2021-2025
Table 30 LBN Brand Shares of Breakfast Cereals: % Value 2022-2025
Table 31 Distribution of Breakfast Cereals by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 32 Forecast Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 33 Forecast Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 34 Forecast Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 35 Forecast Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030

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
Table 36 Sales of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 37 Sales of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 38 Sales of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 39 Sales of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 40 Sales of Frozen Processed Vegetables by Type: % Value Breakdown 2020-2025
Table 41 NBO Company Shares of Processed Fruit and Vegetables: % Value 2021-2025
Table 42 LBN Brand Shares of Processed Fruit and Vegetables: % Value 2022-2025
Table 43 Distribution of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 44 Forecast Sales of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 45 Forecast Sales of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 46 Forecast Sales of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 47 Forecast Sales of Processed Fruit and Vegetables by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030

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
Table 48 Sales of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 49 Sales of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 50 Sales of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 51 Sales of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 52 Sales of Shelf Stable Processed Red Meat by Type: % Volume Breakdown 2020-2025
Table 53 Sales of Chilled Processed Red Meat by Type: % Volume Breakdown 2020-2025
Table 54 Sales of Frozen Processed Red Meat by Type: % Volume Breakdown 2020-2025
Table 55 Sales of Frozen Processed Poultry by Type: % Value Breakdown 2020-2025
Table 56 Sales of Frozen Processed Seafood by Type: % Value Breakdown 2020-2025
Table 57 NBO Company Shares of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat: % Value 2021-2025
Table 58 LBN Brand Shares of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat: % Value 2022-2025
Table 59 Distribution of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 60 Forecast Sales of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 61 Forecast Sales of Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives to Meat by Category: Value 2025-2030

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
Table 62 Sales of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 63 Sales of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 64 Sales of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 65 Sales of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 66 Sales of Instant Noodles by Leading Flavours: Rankings 2020-2025
Table 67 NBO Company Shares of Rice, Pasta and Noodles: % Value 2021-2025
Table 68 LBN Brand Shares of Rice, Pasta and Noodles: % Value 2022-2025
Table 69 NBO Company Shares of Rice: % Value 2021-2025
Table 70 LBN Brand Shares of Rice: % Value 2022-2025
Table 71 NBO Company Shares of Pasta: % Value 2021-2025
Table 72 LBN Brand Shares of Pasta: % Value 2022-2025
Table 73 NBO Company Shares of Noodles: % Value 2021-2025
Table 74 LBN Brand Shares of Noodles: % Value 2022-2025
Table 75 Distribution of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 76 Distribution of Rice by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 77 Distribution of Pasta by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 78 Distribution of Noodles by Format: % Value 2020-2025
Table 79 Forecast Sales of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 80 Forecast Sales of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 81 Forecast Sales of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 82 Forecast Sales of Rice, Pasta and Noodles by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030

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.

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This report originates from Passport, our Staple Foods research and analysis database.

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