Market research

Chestnuts market in South Korea

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the chestnut market volume in South Korea increased from 48 990 t to 52 025 t. This growth coincided with the expansion of night markets in Seoul, such as the Seoul Night Goblin Market, which added permanent locations and spread night market culture, likely boosting chestnut consumption as street food. In 2019, reports of Chinese chestnuts being passed off as Vietnamese in Vietnam highlighted supply chain quality issues that could affect import dynamics.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume declined to 50 270 t in 2021 and 49 329 t in 2022, before a slight recovery to 49 855 t in 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the temporary suspension of Seoul's night markets in 2020, impacting traditional sales channels. The resumption of night markets in 2022 under the new name 'Hangang Moonlight Night Market' helped stabilize consumption in the following period.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Korea
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production chestnuts in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

South Korea was among the world's leading producers of chestnuts from 2017 to 2020, ranking fifth globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

South Korea's chestnut production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 52 874 tonnes of chestnuts, marking a slight decrease of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 54 351 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 0.3% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.3%	(0.8%)	(1.9%)	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports chestnuts from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

South Korea's cross-border shipments of chestnuts declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3 481 tonnes, reflecting a dramatic drop of 49.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 60.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 26.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.0%)	(10.6%)	(49.1%)	(26.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea's export structure for chestnuts was heavily centered on China, which accounted for 90.0% of total shipments. Other markets played a less significant role during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

South Korea's chestnut exports declined for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, export value was recorded at 9 576 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp fall of 25.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 54.4%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 23.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.5%)	(34.9%)	(25.1%)	(23.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China consistently accounted for 81.4% of South Korea's total chestnut export value, indicating a high concentration on this market. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports chestnuts to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

South Korea's chestnut imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 2 633 tonnes, which is 5.1% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 16.3%, equating to an average annual increase of 5.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.4%	9.1%	5.1%	5.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea's import structure for chestnuts showed pronounced dependence on China, with this market accounting for 100.0% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

South Korea's chestnut imports increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, the country imported chestnuts worth 9 576 thousand US dollars, representing a gain of 2.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 12.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.3%	8.5%	2.3%	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea's import structure for chestnuts in value terms was heavily reliant on China, with this market accounting for 100.0% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io