Mushrooms and truffles market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean market for fresh or chilled mushrooms and truffles stood at 10 787 t in 2018, supported by rising consumer interest in health and immunity as well as the rapid expansion of online grocery platforms which improved product availability. The market volume dipped to 7 997 t in 2019, a year that also saw a continued increase in domestic production alongside growing exports. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, lockdowns disrupted logistics but also accelerated a shift toward online shopping and home consumption, helping the market rebound to 10 349 t as digital channels became vital for fresh mushroom distribution.

From 2021 to 2022, the market expanded strongly, reaching 17 412 t in 2022. This growth was underpinned by the adoption of AI and automated equipment in harvesting, which improved production efficiency, and by the emergence of new functional mushroom products that appealed to health-conscious consumers. During this period, the market also faced supply-chain pressures from the war in Ukraine and poor harvests of Indian milk cotton, which constrained substrate raw material supplies, yet robust demand allowed overall consumption to rise.

In 2023, the market volume eased to 16 247 t. Concurrently, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held a policy dialogue aimed at revitalizing the shiitake mushroom market, and a major food company, Infinite Roots, launched mycelium-based alternative meat products domestically, opening a new application segment for mushrooms. Online grocery sales, a key distribution channel for fresh mushrooms, continued their ascent, growing by 11% in value during the year.

Production mushrooms and truffles in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

South Korea was among the world's leading producers of mushrooms and truffles from 2017 to 2020, ranking 21st globally by production volume.

Top producers of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

World map of production of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

Mushroom and truffle production in South Korea increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 24 418 tonnes, marking a slight rise of 0.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

South Korea's mushroom and truffle production value also rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 63 638 thousand US dollars, up by 4.8% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%.

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

Exports mushrooms and truffles from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, South Korea's mushroom and truffle exports declined. In 2020, export volume totaled 18 889 tonnes, a significant drop of 14.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.1%, with a CAGR of 2.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 22 011 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 14.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Australia, and the Netherlands formed the core of South Korea's mushroom and truffle exports by volume. The United States accounted for 32.2% of exports, Australia for 16.0%, and the Netherlands for 14.1%, together representing 62.4% 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

Following a two-year advance, South Korea's mushroom and truffle export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 49 228 thousand US dollars, which is 10.7% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 12%, with a CAGR of 3.8%. The peak value was in 2019 at 55 147 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 13.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for South Korea's mushroom and truffle exports by value were the United States, the Netherlands, and Australia. Together, they accounted for 62.9% 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 mushrooms and truffles to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

South Korea's mushroom and truffle imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 4 819 tonnes, down by 16.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.6%, with a CAGR of -8.2%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 6 818 tonnes, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 with a 9.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated South Korea's mushroom and truffle imports by volume, accounting for 99.9% 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 mushroom and truffle import value also fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 17 077 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 20.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 19.5%, with a CAGR of -7.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 25 497 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 20.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China nearly fully determined the geographical structure of South Korea's mushroom and truffle imports by value, with a share of 96.8% 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