Cereal germ market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the cereal germ market in South Korea saw moderate growth, rising from 130 thousand tons to 133 thousand tons. This expansion coincided with the cereal market broadening its focus from children to adults, where healthy whole-grain products like brown rice and granola gained popularity. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further heightened consumer interest in health and wellness, creating additional momentum for functional food ingredients.

A sharp surge in market volume to 184 thousand tons occurred in 2021, directly linked to the pandemic's aftermath, which accelerated the healthy eating trend and boosted demand for products with functional properties. Concurrently, regulatory enhancements for the evaluation and labeling of health functional foods spurred manufacturers to increase output of certified functional ingredients, including cereal germ.

Growth continued in the following years, reaching 205 thousand tons by 2023. A key driver was the sustained rise of the ready-to-eat cereal market, which surpassed KRW 230 billion in 2022, largely propelled by whole-grain products and granola. Further support came from government policies promoting regulatory innovation for health functional foods and the development of the plant-based protein segment, for which cereal germ serves as a valuable raw material.

Production cereal germ in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, South Korea ranked as the 24th largest producer of cereal germ during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cereal germ, 2017-2020

World map of production of cereal germ, 2017-2020

Cereal germ production in South Korea increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 129.6 thousand tons of cereal germ, marking a slight uptick of 0.9% compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 128.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 1.1%.

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

Exports cereal germ from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 1 ton and peaked in 2020 at 20 tons, representing a 25-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cereal germ volumes leaving South Korea amounted to 20 tons, which is 490.4% higher year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 63.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States held the dominant position in exports in kind, accounting for 89.8% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller 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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 16 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 93 thousand US dollars, differing by 5.6 times. In 2020, cereal germ deliveries from South Korea amounted to 93 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a sharp uptick of 238.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 56.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for 75.7% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller 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 cereal germ to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year contraction, South Korea's cereal germ import volume increased. In 2020, imports reached 3 109 tons, showing an abrupt increase of 47.5% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 30.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 107 tons, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 50.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cereal germ imports to South Korea were largely oriented towards Indonesia, whose share in total imports in kind reached 96.6%.

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

After a two-year fall, cereal germ volumes imported by South Korea increased. In 2020, imports totalled 1 227 thousand US dollars, constituting an increase of 36.9% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 897 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 25.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Indonesia alone accounting for 91.0% of total 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