Melons market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh melon market in South Korea showed steady growth from 2018, aided in the initial period by shifts in consumer behavior. Increased visits to traditional markets and changes in work-life balance contributed to market volume rising to 150.7 K t in 2019. However, growth paused in 2020, with the market stabilizing at 150.8 K t.

A significant surge occurred in 2021, when market volume jumped by one-third to 199.5 K t. This growth continued in the following years, reaching 211.0 K t in 2023. In value terms, the market more than doubled over the period, from $404.2 million in 2018 to $840.6 million in 2023.

By 2023 and into 2024, a sustained trend in fresh food purchasing habits was observed: purchase frequency declined, but the amount spent per transaction increased. This shift in consumption patterns supported the expansion of the fresh melon market in value terms.

Production melons in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

South Korea ranked 21st globally in melon production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

In 2020, South Korea produced 148.9 thousand tons of melons, marking a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 10.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 130.5 thousand tons. That year also saw the largest decline of 21.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 15.1% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South Korea's melon production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 490.1 million US dollars, up by 8.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 15.3%, averaging an annual increase of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 405.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 11.0%.

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

Exports melons from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, South Korea's melon export volume reached 1 122 tons, showing a sharp drop of 27.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 25.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.4%. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 003 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1 555 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 33.6% decrease, and the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 55.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of melons from South Korea were Hong Kong, accounting for 35.5% of exports in volume, followed by Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 28.3%, and Japan at 21.0%. Together, these three markets represented 84.7% of total exports in volume.

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

In 2020, South Korea's melon export value stood at 3 694 thousand US dollars, reflecting a decrease of 20.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 113 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 4 657 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 49.6% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the leading partner for South Korea's melon exports in value terms, with a 34.9% share, followed by Asia, not elsewhere specified, at 24.8%, and Japan at 22.3%. These three markets collectively accounted for 82.0% of total export flows.

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 melons to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

Foreign melon supplies to South Korea increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 3 034 tons, indicating a sudden gain of 53.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 106.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 27.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the nearly exclusive supplier of melons to South Korea, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in volume.

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 melon import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 3 610 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt increase of 42.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 96.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United States, which held a 100.0% share of total 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