Carrots and turnips market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market volume for fresh carrots and turnips in South Korea remained stable at around 172 thousand tons. This stability concealed a shift in supply sources, as domestic production fell while imports increased, a change linked to a reported reduction in the cultivation area for fresh produce within the country.

The market expanded sharply to 202 thousand tons in 2020 and reached 204 thousand tons in 2021, driven by a strong recovery in domestic output. This growth period was supported by the ongoing expansion of cold chain infrastructure, including a significant increase in registered refrigerated logistics centers, which enhanced storage and distribution capacity for perishable goods.

After a contraction to 178 thousand tons in 2022 due to a drop in production, the market rebounded to 198 thousand tons in 2023. The recovery coincided with the nationwide implementation of a new consumption-based expiration date labeling system for food, a regulatory change designed to reduce waste that likely influenced demand for fresh produce.

Production carrots and turnips in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, carrot and turnip production in South Korea rebounded. In 2020, production reached 100.9 thousand tonnes, representing a significant increase of 49.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 36.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 67.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.0%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from South Korea

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, South Korea's carrot and turnip exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.2 thousand tonnes, down 13.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 28.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.2 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 24.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam were the primary destinations for South Korea's carrot and turnip exports, together accounting for 91.4% of total export volume. Other trading partners each held substantially smaller shares.

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 export market showed considerable volatility during this period. Export values fluctuated 1.7-fold between the peak in 2018 and the low point in 2017. In 2020, South Korea's carrot and turnip exports were valued at 187 thousand US dollars, reflecting a solid increase of 12.4% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 237 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 73.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 29.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for South Korea's carrot and turnip exports by value were the Northern Mariana Islands (46.4% of export value), Guam (32.5%), and Russia (10.8%). Together, these three markets accounted for 89.7% of total export value.

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 carrots and turnips to South Korea

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, South Korea imported 101.3 thousand tonnes of carrots and turnips, representing a moderate decrease of 3.9% compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 99.6 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 105.3 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated South Korea's carrot and turnip imports by volume, accounting for 93.2% 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, K $ US

South Korea's carrot and turnip imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 38 346 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a slight decrease of 0.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 48 620 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 20.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China maintained a dominant position in South Korea's carrot and turnip imports by value, consistently representing 92.1% of total import flows.

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

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