Cabbages market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean cabbage market volume fluctuated between 2.7 million tons in 2018 and 2.3 million tons in 2023. The initial increase to 2,743 thousand tons in 2018 was supported by an expansion of cultivation area to 7,906 hectares and the launch of mini-cabbage exports to Japan and Taiwan. However, the market contracted sharply to 2,154 thousand tons in 2019. It rebounded to 2,563 thousand tons in 2020 as poor weather conditions damaged the domestic harvest, leading to a surge in imports to 38 thousand tons to meet demand.

Government interventions played a key role in subsequent market movements. In 2022, the market grew again to 2,504 thousand tons. This followed a period of severe price increases, prompting the government to implement a tariff-rate quota, slashing the import duty on cabbage from 27% to 0% from January to April to boost supply. Authorities also strengthened cultivation management for late-season winter cabbage to stabilize output.

Throughout the period, innovation in seed varieties and export market development provided underlying market direction. New disease-resistant and longer-lasting cabbage varieties were introduced from 2018. By 2019, Jo Eun Seeds had entered the European premium market with a $280,000 export to the Netherlands. Consumer trends also shifted, with major retailers launching sweet, small-sized 'Home Run' cabbage in 2019 and HOBAN Property promoting the high-sugar 'Dalkomi' variety nationally in 2021 to expand usage in salads and ready-to-eat meals.

Production cabbages in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

South Korea was among the world's top cabbage producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking fourth globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

In 2020, South Korea produced 2 556 thousand tons of cabbages, marking a 16.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 6.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.1%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 2 188 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 764 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 20.8% decrease.

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

Exports cabbages from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, South Korea exported 30 455 tons of cabbages, representing a sharp 35.0% decline compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 46 884 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 42.7% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Korea's cabbage exports in volume were heavily concentrated in Asia, not elsewhere specified, which accounted for 86.5% of total exports, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

After two consecutive years of growth, South Korea's cabbage exports in value terms declined in 2020, reaching 19 950 thousand US dollars, down 24.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 26 572 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 29.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified was the primary market for South Korea's cabbage exports in value, accounting for 81.2% of total exports, while other partners held relatively smaller shares.

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 cabbages to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 728 tons, while the highest was in 2020 at 37 737 tons, representing a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged by 188.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 7.5% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, South Korea's cabbage imports in volume were predominantly sourced from China, which held a 93.3% share of total imports.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 3 787 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2020 at 11 811 thousand US dollars, a 3.1-fold difference. In 2020, imports jumped by 211.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a 20.5% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the key source for South Korea's cabbage imports in value, accounting for 79.3% of total imports, with other destinations being much less significant.

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

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