Bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the South Korean market for bran and cereal processing residues was highly import-dependent due to low self-sufficiency in key grains, with three large companies dominating the processing industry. Market volume stood at 1 132 thousand tons. A slight dip to 1 096 thousand tons followed in 2019, but by 2020, despite global supply-chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the market grew to 1 101 thousand tons as imports increased. A more pronounced expansion then lifted volume to 1 157 thousand tons in 2021, supported by a rise in the vegetarian population to 1–1.5 million people, the introduction of vegetarian school meals, and growing cross-border online shopping for functional food products.

The market stabilized at 1 157 thousand tons in 2022 as major grain processors invested in expanding production capacity and launching new product lines, while tighter government rules on ingredient and nutrition labeling improved transparency and consumer trust. In 2023, market volume edged down to 1 143 thousand tons, partly because viral social-media food trends triggered raw-material price volatility and supply instability, even as large retail chains rolled out new convenience and health-food items containing cereal by-products.

Throughout the 2018–2023 period, steady consumer interest in healthy eating and plant-based diets underpinned demand for functional ingredients, while the oligopolistic structure of the processing industry and the rise of e-commerce continued to shape market accessibility and competitive dynamics.

Production bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing, 2017-2020

World map of production of bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing, 2017-2020

South Korea's production of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 007.0 thousand tons, which represents a 1.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing from South Korea

Exports in kind, K t

The market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and then peaked in 2020, with a sixfold difference between these years. In 2020, South Korea exported 2.2 thousand tons of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing, marking a sharp increase of 501.8% from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 75.8% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and Malaysia were the two key markets for South Korea's exports in kind, together accounting for 85.0% of total flows, while the remaining 15.0% was distributed among other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2019 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, showing a 4.6-fold shift. In 2020, South Korea's export value for bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing was 758 thousand US dollars, up by 301.1% year-on-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 189 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 868 thousand US dollars. The largest decline of 78.2% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia and Japan were the two leading markets in value terms, together representing 80.5% of total exports, with the remaining 19.5% spread across a wide range of other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2017-2020

Imports bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing to South Korea

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, South Korea's imports of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 96.4 thousand tons, reflecting a sharp rise of 33.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 72.3 thousand tons, and the largest decline of 22.2% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia and Japan jointly absorbed 84.2% of South Korea's total imports in kind of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing, with the rest of the volume scattered across smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, South Korea's import volume for bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing rose. In 2020, imports totaled 19 750 thousand US dollars, amounting to a 30.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 15 155 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline of 15.6% took place in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia concentrated 70.6% of South Korea's total imports in value terms for bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing, while the remaining 29.4% were scattered across multiple smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2017-2020