Dried prunes market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried prunes in South Korea expanded consistently from 1 183 t in 2018 to 1 736 t in 2021. This period of growth aligned with broader increases in food imports, including rising coffee bean shipments, indicating heightened consumer interest in diverse food products.

After peaking in 2021, the market contracted to 1 564 t in 2022 and further to 1 287 t in 2023. For 2024, the market environment was influenced by the ongoing expansion of the home meal replacement segment and online food sales, which could support demand for dried fruits as ingredients. New packaging regulations, which banned excessive packaging and set cost limits, also came into effect, potentially affecting product distribution and costs.

Production dried prunes in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea ranked as the 26th largest producer of dried prunes globally.

Top producers of dried prunes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried prunes, 2017-2020

Dried prune production in South Korea fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 124.9 tonnes, a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 20.3%, with an average annual decline of 7.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of decline, South Korea's dried prune production value rose. In 2020, output was valued at 915 thousand US dollars, up 11.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, however, production value decreased by 16.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 820 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.5% occurring that same year.

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

Exports dried prunes from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, dried prune exports from South Korea declined. In 2020, the country exported 60 tonnes, a modest drop of 9.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 33%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 66 tonnes, with the largest increase of 40.9% recorded in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the two main markets—Singapore and Hong Kong—accounted for 88.7% of South Korea's dried prune exports by volume, while the rest was distributed among various other countries.

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

South Korea exported 440 thousand US dollars worth of dried prunes in 2020, a 3.1% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 39.9%, with an average annual rate of 11.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 466 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 47.9%, while the largest decline of 8.3% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore and Hong Kong were the top buyers of South Korean dried prunes by value, together making up 88.8% of total exports, with other countries accounting for the remainder.

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 dried prunes to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

Dried prune imports into South Korea grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 524 tonnes, a moderate increase of 7.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 90.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 24.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated South Korea's dried prune imports by volume, consistently supplying 99.1% of the total.

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

Dried prune imports into South Korea increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 6 110 thousand US dollars, up 6.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 56.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with the United States alone responsible for 98.9% of total imports by value.

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

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