Poultry meat and offal market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, South Korea's poultry meat market expanded in both volume and value, with production rising from 1 830 thousand tonnes to 2 094 thousand tonnes and market size reaching 2 182 thousand tonnes. This growth coincided with a long-term trend of rising single-person households and increased demand for home meal replacement products, which likely supported consumption of poultry meat as a key ingredient.

After peaking in 2020, market volume declined slightly in 2021 and 2022 before a modest recovery in 2023. In 2022, a decrease in fresh food purchase frequency coupled with price inflation contributed to a 1.0% drop in physical market volume, while the market's value surged by 15.2% to 2 931 million US dollars, reflecting higher consumer spending per transaction.

By 2024, the market was evolving through the expansion of fresh food e‑commerce, activation of cold-chain logistics, and growing demand for frozen and premium convenience products. These shifts, driven by increased single‑person and dual‑income households, post‑pandemic avoidance of offline shopping, and advances in freezing technology, are reshaping how poultry meat is distributed and consumed.

Production poultry meat and offal in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea ranked 30th globally in poultry meat and offal production.

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

Poultry meat and offal production in South Korea grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 094 K t, marking a significant increase of 10.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South Korea's poultry meat and offal production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 211 M $ US, up 10.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 869 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 10.9%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from South Korea

Exports in kind, K t

Poultry meat and offal exports from South Korea rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 51.8 K t, a modest increase of 6.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 1 295.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 140.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the primary export partner in kind, accounting for 95.5% of total 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, M $ US

South Korea's poultry meat and offal exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 54.7 M $ US, 6.9% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 1 077.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 127.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam served as the main destination for South Korea's poultry meat and offal exports, consistently absorbing 94.2% of total export value.

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 poultry meat and offal to South Korea

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, poultry meat and offal imports into South Korea declined. In 2020, imports totaled 140.2 K t, down 2.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 30.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 143.5 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the leading supplier of poultry meat and offal to South Korea, providing 81.3% of total imports in kind, with the remainder distributed among various other countries.

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, M $ US

After two years of gains, poultry meat and offal imports into South Korea decreased. In 2020, imports reached 264.2 M $ US, a 9.9% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 31.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 293.2 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 25.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the main supplier of poultry meat and offal to South Korea, capturing 81.6% of total import value, while other partners held relatively smaller shares.

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

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