Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean market for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares shrank from 34.6 thousand t in 2018 to 20.9 thousand t in 2021, then rebounded to 33.4 thousand t by 2023. The 2021 contraction was primarily caused by steep bread price inflation ('breadflation') due to higher labor and raw material costs, which dampened volume consumption. The recovery started in 2022 with a 38% jump to 28.9 thousand t, driven by a 20% expansion in the frozen bakery segment as consumers embraced home baking and convenient frozen dough products.

Market growth continued in 2023, reaching 33.4 thousand t, fueled by consumer shifts toward premium, customized cakes and dessert breads. The frozen bakery and home‑baking trends, which gained momentum during the COVID‑19 pandemic, remained strong, with leading manufacturer SPC Samlip launching new products to capture demand. Simultaneously, the market saw intensified competition among specialty bakery chains.

Underlying these volume movements, health‑conscious and organic product demand increased throughout the period, spurring more low‑calorie and functional offerings. Environmentally friendly packaging also became more widespread, reflecting rising consumer sustainability awareness. E‑commerce and direct‑to‑consumer channels grew rapidly, diversifying distribution and enabling easier access to niche products.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

South Korea's production volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 671.7 thousand tons, marking a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in South Korea reached 3 536 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.9% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 371 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

South Korea's export volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 58 700 tons, a 13.9% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, key buyers of South Korea's bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in terms of volume included the United States, accounting for 26.6% of exports, China at 12.9%, and Hong Kong at 7.6%. However, their combined share reached only 47.1% of total exports, with the remaining 52.9% distributed among numerous other partners.

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, M $ US

In 2020, South Korea's export value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares stood at 309.0 million US dollars, showing a strong increase of 22.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 26.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, South Korea's bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares were exported to a diverse range of markets. The United States accounted for 27.0% of exports in value terms, China for 14.6%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 7.4%. Together, these three markets made up only 49.0% of total exports, while many smaller destinations contributed the remaining 51.0%.

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 bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, South Korea's import volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 80 551 tons, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 2.3%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 80 467 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into South Korea were relatively evenly distributed. China accounted for 18.5% of imports in volume, Malaysia for 17.2%, and the United States for 13.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 49.5% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, South Korea's import value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has increased. In 2020, imports totaled 339.8 million US dollars, a 2.5% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 339.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.7%.

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

Analysis of import values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Malaysia accounted for 17.6% of imports in value terms, the United States for 15.8%, and China for 13.0%. Together, these three markets made up only 46.5% of total flows, with a significant 53.5% coming from other 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