Citrus fruit market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in South Korea saw relative stability in volume from 2018 to 2019, with market size at 1 425 thousand tons and 1 421 thousand tons respectively. During this period, consumer preferences shifted toward sweeter mandarin varieties, which commanded price premiums, but per capita consumption began a gradual decline. Authorities on Jeju Island implemented quality controls, including drone surveillance to block non-commercial fruit shipments, to maintain market standards.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic initially reduced demand, but proactive distribution measures and shipment controls by farmers' associations led to a record farm income and increased market volume to 1 466 thousand tons, even as the market value dropped. Subsequently, market volume contracted to 1 410 thousand tons in 2021, amid a slight reduction in cultivation area and the rollout of smart agriculture policies aimed at improving efficiency through ICT and infrastructure.

By 2022, market volume fell further to 1 333 thousand tons, while value increased, coinciding with legislative amendments that relaxed regulations for vertical farms and expanded the scope of agribusiness. In 2023, volume stabilized at 1 336 thousand tons as the industry focused on high-value processing, with plans for a new canned citrus factory on Jeju Island and export-oriented policies under the K-Food+ initiative. Moving into 2024, sector efforts remained centered on quality enhancement through soil-cover cultivation and closer coordination between agricultural agencies and grower groups, alongside the growing role of online food commerce.

Production citrus fruit in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea ranked as the 28th largest producer of citrus fruit globally.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

South Korea's citrus fruit production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 319.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of citrus fruit production in South Korea fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 477 million US dollars, down 18.5% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 1 917 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 22.4%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from South Korea

Exports in kind, K t

Citrus fruit exports from South Korea increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 6.4 thousand tonnes, a sharp rise of 155.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 243%, averaging an annual growth rate of 50.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Canada, and the United States were the top markets for South Korea's citrus fruit exports by volume. Russia accounted for 47.9% of exports, Canada for 12.9%, and the United States for 12.7%, together making up 73.5% 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, M $ US

South Korea's citrus fruit exports by value grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 7.2 million US dollars, up 99.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 193.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 43.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, the United States, and Singapore were the leading markets for South Korea's citrus fruit exports by value. Russia represented 29.6% of exports, the United States 18.3%, and Singapore 13.4%, collectively accounting for 61.2% 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 citrus fruit to South Korea

Imports in kind, K t

Citrus fruit imports into South Korea declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 152.8 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 5.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 15.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 182.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw a slight increase of 0.7%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with an 11.1% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States dominated South Korea's citrus fruit imports by volume, accounting for 85.3% of the total. The remaining imports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

The value of citrus fruit imports into South Korea decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 254.2 million US dollars, down 7.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%. The peak value was in 2018 at 327.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 16.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary source for South Korea's citrus fruit imports by value, making up 87.3% of the total. Other countries played a much smaller role in 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