South Korea Kimchi Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Category (Organic, Conventional, and Others), By Packaging (Bottles & Jars, Pouches, Boxes, Tubs & Trays, Cans, and Others), By End User (Food Service Sector, Retail/Household, and Others), and South Korea Kimchi Market Insights Forecasts 2023 - 2033.

South Korea Kimchi Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The South Korea Kimchi Market Size is Growing at a 5.32% CAGR from 2023 to 2033.
• The South Korea Kimchi Market Size is Expected to Reach a Significant Share by 2033.

The South Korea Kimchi Market Size is expected to Reach a Significant Share by 2033, Growing at a 5.32% CAGR from 2023 to 2033. 

Market Overview

The South Korea kimchi market is the domestic sector engaged in the production, distribution, and consumption of kimchi, a fermented Korean vegetable dish, traditionally produced from napa cabbage and radishes and seasoned with chili pepper, garlic, ginger, and other spices. Kimchi is a part of Korean cuisine and is highly culturally valued, frequently eaten as a side dish or as an ingredient in Korean foods. The market includes homemade and industrially manufactured kimchi, which is sold to individual consumers, restaurants, and food service institutions. The South Korea kimchi market offers immense growth prospects led by rising international demand for Korean food, fueled by the Hallyu wave, enhancing export prospects to global markets. Consumers' growing health awareness creates opportunities for premium, organic, and functional kimchi products, responding to the need for healthier food. Flavor innovation and easy-to-use packaging have the ability to entice more youthful, time-constrained consumers, while the growth of e-commerce sites provides increased reach and effective distribution channels. These factors combine to provide a fertile ground for diversification and market growth.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the South Korea kimchi market based on various segments and regions forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the South Korea kimchi market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the South Korea kimchi market.

Driving Factors

The South Korea kimchi market is spurred by its cultural significance as a traditional and fundamental component of Korean cuisine, with consistent domestic consumption. The health benefits of kimchi, including its probiotic nature and nutritional content, resonate with the increasing trend of healthy eating. Technological innovation in fermentation and packaging has enhanced product quality and shelf life, further increasing the accessibility of kimchi. Government assistance toward food safety levels and the advancement of Korean dishes worldwide also significantly contribute. Furthermore, growth of the food services industry and increased demand from food services and caterers further supports market growth.

Restraining Factors

The South Korea Kimchi Market has some restraints such as the seasonal fluctuation of prices for the major ingredients like napa cabbage and radishes, which affects production stability and profitability. Domestic producers also have pricing pressure due to cheaper imported kimchi from China, impacting their market share.

Market Segment

• The conventional segment held the greatest share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the category, the South Korea kimchi market is divided into organic, conventional, and others. Among these, the conventional segment held the greatest share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Traditional kimchi is less expensive and more accessible and thus the popular choice for most households as well as food establishments. With more consumers recognizing the value of organic produce, demand will increase for high-end, organic kimchi, especially among younger and health-conscious consumers, setting this category up for healthy growth in the next few years.

• The pouches segment accounted for the majority of the share in 2023 and is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the projected timeframe.

Based on the packaging, the South Korea kimchi market is divided into bottles & jars, pouches, boxes, tubs & trays, cans, and others. Among these, the pouches segment accounted for the majority of the share in 2023 and is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the projected timeframe. Pouches are lightweight, convenient for storage, and suitable for retail packaging and bulk packaging, thus extensively used by consumers and manufacturers alike. The practicality and flexibility of pouches coincide with contemporary consumer lifestyles, guaranteeing their continued reign and fast expansion in the kimchi industry.

• The retail/household segment held the largest share in 2023 and is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the predicted timeframe.

Based on the end user, the South Korea kimchi market is divided into food service sector, retail/household, and others. Among these, the retail/household segment held the largest share in 2023 and is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the predicted timeframe. The demand is influenced by the surge in the popularity of Korean foods across the world and the enhanced growth in restaurants, cafes, and catering chains adding kimchi to their menu offerings. Increasing use of kimchi as a product ingredient by various dishes and the expansion in the food services sector are strong drivers behind this segment's robust growth.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the South Korea kimchi market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• CJ CheilJedang
• Daesang Corporation (Chongga Kimchi)
• Pulmuone
• Sempio Foods
• Haechandle
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Narichan, a South Korean kimchi-focused company, has created a new ready-to-drink (RTD) kimchi drink in an effort to go beyond traditional product concepts and increase usage and exports.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at regional, and country levels from 2022 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the South Korea Kimchi Market based on the below-mentioned segments:

South Korea Kimchi Market, By Category

• Organic
• Conventional
• Others

South Korea Kimchi Market, By Packaging

• Bottles & Jars
• Pouches
• Boxes
• Tubs & Trays
• Cans
• Others

South Korea Kimchi Market, By End User

• Food Service Sector
• Retail/Household
• Others