Prepared mushrooms and truffles market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean prepared mushrooms and truffles market saw a slight decline in volume to around 20 200 t in 2020 before recovering to 25 121 t by 2023. Domestic production demonstrated strong growth, rising from 3 488 t in 2020 to over 7 400 t in 2022 and stabilizing near that level in 2023.

This expansion was propelled by the rapid growth of online food retail, which diversified distribution channels and increased accessibility. Rising consumer interest in health and functional foods boosted demand for value-added mushroom products. Simultaneously, the development of mushroom-based meat alternatives, driven by the expanding plant-based protein market, created a new segment and stimulated product innovation. Major domestic food companies increased investments in research and production facilities, with new large-scale cultivation sites becoming operational in 2022, directly enhancing output capacity.

Market evolution continued with a focus on premium and value-oriented product lines, while sustainability trends led to wider adoption of eco-friendly packaging. Government policies strengthening food labeling standards and quality control further supported consumer trust and market integrity throughout the period.

Production prepared mushrooms and truffles in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, South Korea ranked as the 12th largest producer of prepared mushrooms and truffles from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year decline, South Korea's production of prepared mushrooms and truffles rebounded in 2020. That year, output reached 3 488 tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 37.2% compared to 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 45.7%, with an average annual decline of 18.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 542 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year drop of 38.2%.

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

Exports prepared mushrooms and truffles from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point occurred in 2018 at 9 tonnes, while exports peaked in 2017, resulting in a fivefold difference between these years. In 2020, South Korea exported 15 tonnes of prepared mushrooms and truffles, a slight decrease of 1.7% from the previous year. The most significant decline was in 2018, down 80.1%, whereas 2019 saw the largest increase of 70.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for South Korea's prepared mushrooms and truffles exports were Russia, Vietnam, and the United States. Russia accounted for 30.9% of exports by volume, Vietnam for 29.4%, and the United States for 15.9%. Together, these three markets represented 76.3% of total exports in kind.

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

Export values were highly volatile during this period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 112 000 US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2017, showing a 2.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, export value stood at 246 000 US dollars, a marginal contraction of 0.7% year-on-year. The most substantial decline was in 2018, down 63.7%, while 2019 recorded the largest increase of 121.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets dominated South Korea's prepared mushrooms and truffles exports by value: the United States, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and Vietnam. Collectively, they accounted for 81.7% 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 prepared mushrooms and truffles to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

After rising for two years, South Korea's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles declined in 2020. That year, imports totaled 16 753 tonnes, down 7.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 18 044 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 2.8% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated South Korea's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles by volume, accounting for 98.0% of total imports in kind.

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

Following a two-year upward trend, South Korea's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles by value fell in 2020. Imports amounted to 18 275 000 US dollars, a decrease of 6.9% compared to the previous year. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 19 632 000 US dollars, with the largest increase of 5.8% occurring in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the nearly exclusive supplier of prepared mushrooms and truffles to South Korea in value terms, capturing 91.3% of total imports.

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

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