Persimmons market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, persimmon production in South Korea remained at a high level near 260 thousand tonnes, with the market size slightly above 250 thousand tonnes. During this period, the government's efforts to boost agricultural exports, including persimmons, through enhanced online and offline platforms supported overseas sales. Consumer preferences in the metropolitan area also showed a trend toward increased consumption of processed agricultural products, which could include persimmon-based items. The market then contracted sharply in 2020, with production falling to 198.8 thousand tonnes. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the market, although it simultaneously accelerated the expansion of online sales channels for fresh produce like persimmons.

A partial recovery followed in 2021 and 2022, with production reaching 217.9 thousand tonnes in 2022. This rebound was driven by shifting consumer preferences toward fresh, high-quality, and functional food products, which increased demand for premium fruits including persimmons. Concurrently, record-high fresh fruit prices in 2022, influenced by international oil price increases and adverse weather, put upward pressure on persimmon prices and affected market conditions.

In 2023, production declined again to 186.3 thousand tonnes. This drop was primarily due to persistent fresh fruit price inflation, which raised consumer costs, and increased competition from imported fruits, including frozen alternatives that gained popularity as cost-effective options. Looking at 2024 trends, the market continues to be shaped by high fresh food prices, government price stabilization measures, and the growing role of online fresh food e-commerce and consumer demand for premium-quality persimmons.

Production persimmons in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

South Korea was one of the world's top persimmon producers from 2017 to 2020, consistently ranking second in terms of production volume.

Top producers of persimmons, 2017-2020

World map of production of persimmons, 2017-2020

South Korea's persimmon production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 198.8 thousand tons of persimmons, marking a significant 23.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 12.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, persimmon production in South Korea experienced a downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 330.7 million US dollars, reflecting a notable 16.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 3.6%, with an annualized rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 394.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.8%.

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

Exports persimmons from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, South Korea's persimmon export volumes rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 5 609 tons, showing a modest 2.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 463 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 19.3% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore were the primary destinations for South Korea's persimmon exports in volume terms. Malaysia accounted for 43.5% of exports, the Philippines for 14.1%, and Singapore for 12.3%, collectively representing 69.9% of total export volumes.

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

South Korea's persimmon exports in value terms grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 9 331 thousand US dollars, indicating a substantial 12.0% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 14.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 603 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong formed the main group of destinations for South Korea's persimmon exports in value terms. Malaysia contributed 36.3% of export value, the Philippines 16.3%, and Hong Kong 12.9%, together accounting for 65.5% 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 persimmons to South Korea

According to market overview data, South Korea did not import any persimmons from 2017 to 2020.