Chicken meat and offal market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean chicken meat and offal market volume expanded from 926 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 107 thousand tons in 2023, driven by two major growth phases. The first significant jump occurred in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic boosted demand for protein-rich and convenient chilled or frozen chicken products, pushing market volume up by 10.3% to 1 049 thousand tons. Another notable expansion came in 2023, with market volume rising 5.9% to 1 107 thousand tons, supported by chicken franchises launching new product lines like breast meat and dakgalbi, alongside the government's maintained zero-tariff import quota policy which facilitated increased supply.

Between these growth periods, the market experienced relative stability. In 2021, international grain and energy price surges, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, raised feed costs and pressured broiler production, leading to a slight dip in domestic output and nearly flat market volume. The following year, record chicken imports—up 45% year-on-year—helped offset production constraints caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks, keeping overall market volume steady at around 1 046 thousand tons.

In 2024, market dynamics were influenced by import management measures, including the reintroduction of a chicken quota tariff system and restrictions to imports from bird-flu-free regions, while seasonal demand for samgyetang and the Paris Olympics affected slaughter volumes.

Production chicken meat and offal in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

South Korea's chicken meat and offal production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 962.0 K t, marking a 12.4% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 25.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South Korea's chicken meat and offal production value has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 016 M $ US, showing a solid 15.1% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 782 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 16.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from South Korea

Exports in kind, K t

Chicken meat and offal exports from South Korea have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 51.8 K t, indicating a 10.6% uptick compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 1421.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 147.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the key and almost sole market for South Korea's chicken meat and offal exports in kind, accounting for 95.6% of total 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, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal exports from South Korea have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, South Korea exported 54.7 M $ US, up by 13.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 1216.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 136.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam concentrated almost all of South Korea's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms, with a share of 94.2% of total 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 chicken meat and offal to South Korea

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, chicken meat and offal imports into South Korea declined. In 2020, imports reached 139.1 K t, which is 1.8% lower year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 30.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 141.7 K t, following the largest increase of 24.6% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, with a share of 82.1% of total flows, while other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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, M $ US

After a two-year rise, South Korea's chicken meat and offal imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 260.4 M $ US, showing a 9.3% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 31.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 287.1 M $ US, after the largest increase of 25.3% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the dominant partner for imports in value terms of chicken meat and offal to South Korea, with a share of 83.0% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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