Cauliflowers and broccoli market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh cauliflowers and broccoli in South Korea reached its peak volume of 11 454 tons in 2019, before declining over the subsequent three years to a low of 9 175 tons in 2022, and then partially recovering to 9 789 tons in 2023. This volatility was largely driven by changes in import volumes, which constitute the vast majority of supply, highlighting the market's external dependency.

A key driver of the post-2019 contraction was a series of external shocks to imports. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 underscored the importance of cold chain logistics, leading to an expansion of refrigerated warehouse infrastructure, but it also coincided with supply chain disruptions that reduced import availability. In 2022, a significant drop in broccoli imports from China—attributed to rising labor costs there and a surge in international sea freight rates—further constrained supply and reduced total market volume, even as domestic consumer interest in these vegetables as healthy foods continued to grow.

By 2023, import volumes showed signs of recovery, supporting the market's return to growth. Domestically, efforts to strengthen the supply base gained momentum, including the development and promotion of new local broccoli varieties in Jeju Province, which accounts for approximately 70% of national production, and the extension of agricultural price stabilization support programs.

Production cauliflowers and broccoli in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

World map of production of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

South Korea's production of cauliflowers and broccoli declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 90 010 kg, but then fell to 82 600 kg in 2020, marking an 8.2% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 4.6%.

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

Exports cauliflowers and broccoli from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 0.5 t, while 2017 saw the highest level at 3.4 t, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.8 times. Exports then rebounded to 1 t in 2020, representing a 31.3% increase from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 85.3%, whereas the most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 128.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for South Korea's cauliflower and broccoli exports in volume terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified (33.7% of exports), Hong Kong (33.2%), and the Marshall Islands (18.8%). Together, these three markets accounted for 85.6% of total export flows.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 2 K $ US, while the peak occurred in 2017 at 6.2 K $ US, resulting in a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 6 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 164.8% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 67.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Hong Kong (28.4% of export value), Mongolia (23.2%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (21.5%) formed the core markets for South Korea's cauliflower and broccoli exports in value terms. Collectively, these three destinations represented 73.0% of total export flows.

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 cauliflowers and broccoli to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, South Korea's imports of cauliflowers and broccoli declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 11 365 t, then dropped to 10 346 t in 2020, showing a modest 9.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.6%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated South Korea's cauliflower and broccoli imports in volume terms, consistently accounting for 98.5% 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, K $ US

Following two years of gains, South Korea's import volumes of cauliflowers and broccoli declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest value at 12 955 K $ US, then fell to 12 063 K $ US in 2020, representing a modest 6.9% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 19.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, China was the key and nearly exclusive market for South Korea's cauliflower and broccoli imports in value terms, accounting for 96.8% 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