Garlic market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean garlic market volume grew to 389 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by a general expansion in the food industry where companies were focusing on increasing production capacity. This upward trend reversed from 2020 to 2022, with the market contracting to 295 thousand tonnes. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumption patterns, boosting home cooking and underlying demand, while subsequent global supply chain instability and raw material price fluctuations applied downward pressure on the market.

A recovery emerged in 2023 as the market volume increased to 321 thousand tonnes. This turnaround coincided with the continued growth of South Korea's broader food industry and rising consumer interest in convenient and functional food products, which helped to stimulate demand for garlic.

Production garlic in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea held the fourth position globally in garlic production.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, South Korea's garlic production experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 363.4 thousand tons of garlic, marking a 6.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The highest production level was achieved in 2019, reaching 387.7 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 16.9% also recorded that year.

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

Exports garlic from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 50 tons, with the largest decline of 36.8% occurring that year. In 2019, exports surged by 3,740.6%, leading to a peak in 2020 at 3,058 tons, which represented a sharp increase of 59.8% compared to 2019. The gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 61-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Asia, not elsewhere specified, were the dominant destinations for South Korea's garlic exports in volume terms, together accounting for 95.1% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller individual shares.

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 behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 210 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 19.5% recorded that year. In 2019, exports jumped by 1,800.2%, culminating in a peak in 2020 at 9,941 thousand US dollars, which was up by 149.4% year-on-year. The change from the trough in 2018 to the peak in 2020 represented a 47-fold increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for 82.0% of the total value of garlic exports from South Korea, with the remaining share distributed among a variety of smaller destinations.

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 garlic to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, South Korea's imported garlic volumes stood at 4,183 tons, reflecting a 34.5% increase year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.5%, equating to an average annual rate of 4.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 5,659 tons, with the largest increase of 54.9% occurring that year. In 2019, imports dropped to 3,109 tons, the lowest level, with the largest decline of 45.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, China was the clear leader among suppliers of garlic to South Korea in volume terms, capturing 98.1% of total imports.

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

After two years of decline, South Korea's imported garlic volumes rebounded. In 2020, imports reached 3,174 thousand US dollars, showing a rise of 64.8% compared to the previous year. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 24.3%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 8.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,926 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop of 48.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated the list of suppliers of garlic to South Korea in value terms, taking 95.9% of total imports.

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

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