Lettuce and chicory market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the South Korean lettuce and chicory market began transforming with the introduction of smart farming and food tech, which improved freshness and distribution efficiency. Health and wellness trends among consumers simultaneously boosted demand for fresh vegetables. Despite a minor contraction to 108.1 thousand tonnes in 2019, these foundational shifts set the stage for future expansion.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 acted as a major catalyst, driving the market to 113.3 thousand tonnes by forcing a rapid expansion of online fresh food sales and delivery services, coupled with increased consumer focus on health and hygiene. This momentum continued into 2021, supported by stricter, eco-friendly packaging regulations and advanced logistics systems from retailers, pushing the market size to 116.2 thousand tonnes.

Market growth accelerated further in 2022, reaching 117.9 thousand tonnes, significantly influenced by the entry of new major players like Naver and Kakao, which intensified competition in online fresh food retail. A government pilot program to hire foreign workers also helped secure labor for production and distribution. Sustained health trends and ongoing investment in smart agriculture and supply chain technology supported growth to 124.8 thousand tonnes in 2023, with factors like an expanded foreign worker scheme in 2024 pointing to continued market evolution.

Production lettuce and chicory in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

South Korea was among the world's leading producers of lettuce and chicory from 2017 to 2020, ranking 19th globally by production volume.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

South Korea's lettuce and chicory production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 96 774 tonnes, up 1.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of lettuce and chicory output in South Korea reached 149.3 million US dollars, a 28.1% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 25.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 116.6 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 158.7 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 26.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 33.1%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed volatility during the observed period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 675 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 2 821 tonnes, representing a 4.2-fold difference. In 2020, South Korea's lettuce and chicory exports totaled 1 321 tonnes, a sharp decline of 53.2% compared to 2019. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018, falling by 64.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 317.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, was the primary market for South Korea's lettuce and chicory exports, accounting for 73.0% of total export volume, with other destinations making up a smaller portion.

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

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values varied threefold from the low in 2018 at 1 145 thousand US dollars to the high in 2019 at 3 441 thousand US dollars. In 2020, lettuce and chicory shipments from South Korea amounted to 2 039 thousand US dollars, a sharp year-over-year drop of 40.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 54.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 200.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Asia, not elsewhere specified, Japan, and the United States—together accounted for 86.8% of the total export value of lettuce and chicory from South Korea.

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 lettuce and chicory to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, lettuce and chicory imports into South Korea totaled 17 883 tonnes, a 16.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 13.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 361 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 17 896 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the dominant source for South Korea's lettuce and chicory imports, holding a 76.4% share of total import volume, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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

In 2020, foreign lettuce and chicory supplies to South Korea amounted to 16 455 thousand US dollars, indicating a 20.0% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 18.8%, with an annualized rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 712 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 17 359 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 21.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 25.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of lettuce and chicory to South Korea in value terms were largely oriented towards China and the United States, whose combined share reached 88.2% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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