Dried shelled legumes market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in South Korea increased from 91.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 95.7 thousand tons in 2019, largely due to higher domestic production driven by the introduction of the government's Strategic Crop Direct Payment System. This policy expanded cultivation areas and output. The market then stabilized at 94.3 thousand tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted food logistics and increased price volatility for raw materials like dried beans and lentils.

A significant surge to 109.0 thousand tons occurred in 2021, primarily fueled by the expansion of foodtech in the foodservice industry, which boosted demand for dried legumes as ingredients for new processed products such as bean-based meat and snacks. This led to a sharp rise in imports. However, in 2022, the market volume fell to 99.1 thousand tons after domestic and global climate fluctuations and supply chain issues created major uncertainty in bean imports, constraining raw material availability.

By 2023, the market volume reached 100.0 thousand tons, supported by consumer behavior shifts—including higher demand for affordable and processed legume products amid high prices and an aging population—as well as government efforts to revise direct payment subsidies and link them to public meal programs to stimulate consumption. In 2024, import volumes rose further amid ongoing challenges from reduced U.S. soybean supplies, higher logistics costs, and exchange rate pressures, while policies promoted greater use of domestic beans by processors.

Production dried shelled legumes in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

South Korea's production of dried shelled legumes declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 35 513 tonnes, marking a 10.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 14.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 39 634 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. South Korea's exports of dried shelled legumes fluctuated significantly, with a 20-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, exports dropped sharply to 10 tonnes, a 93.9% fall from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 168 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 1 943.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for South Korea's exports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms were the United States, accounting for 57.5% of exports, Myanmar with 10.0%, and Singapore at 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 76.7% 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, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Exports in value terms bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South Korea's cross-border shipments of dried shelled legumes totaled 101 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 55.4% decline from the previous year. The minimum value was 41 thousand US dollars in 2018, while the maximum was 226 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also saw the largest increase of 446.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top buyers of dried shelled legumes from South Korea in value terms were the United States, with 51.5% of exports, Canada at 9.6%, and Myanmar with 8.2%. Their combined share reached 69.2% 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 dried shelled legumes to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, South Korea imported 58 783 tonnes of dried shelled legumes, showing a modest increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for South Korea's imports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms were China, representing 51.1% of imports, Canada at 16.6%, and Myanmar with 14.9%. Together, these three markets accounted for 82.6% of total import flows.

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

South Korea's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 63 726 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 21.4% improvement over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 23.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for South Korea's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms were China, accounting for 57.4% of imports, Myanmar with 13.4%, and the United States at 12.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 83.2% of total 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