Prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market for prepared poultry meat in South Korea expanded, with volume rising from 42 479 tons to 49 385 tons. This growth was driven by changing consumer lifestyles, including an increase in single-person households and camping, which boosted demand for convenient home meal replacement (HMR) products like seasoned poultry and sausages. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated the trend toward home dining, increasing demand for easy-to-cook meat products, although overall market volume temporarily dipped to 42 742 tons due to import fluctuations.

After a contraction to 39 112 tons in 2021, the market recovered strongly, reaching 47 591 tons in 2022 and 49 842 tons in 2023. This rebound was supported by continuous innovation, with new product launches featuring diverse cooking methods and flavors that captured consumer interest. Concurrently, a decline in domestic broiler production and reduced imports of raw poultry put upward pressure on prices, while global supply chain disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war added inflationary pressures. Regulatory advancements for cultivated meat, including the U.S. FDA's approval of cultured chicken, began to shape the market's future trajectory.

Production prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea maintained the 19th position globally in terms of production volume for prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal.

Top producers of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal, 2017-2020

South Korea's production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 11 369 tonnes, marking a 10.3% year-over-year gain. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 20.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

South Korea's production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 60 399 thousand US dollars, representing a 17.5% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 37.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.3%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, South Korea's exports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal reached 4 010 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 46.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 56.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, the United States, and Hong Kong led the export structure in kind, accounting for 31.2%, 24.2%, and 16.8% of exports, respectively. Together, these three markets represented 72.2% 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, M $ US

In 2020, South Korea's exports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal were recorded at 21.3 million US dollars, up by 55.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 78.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.2%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong were the three principal markets for South Korea's exports in value terms, together accounting for 72.6% of total exports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal.

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 or preserved poultry meat or offal to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, South Korea's imports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 35 382 tonnes, marking a strong reduction of 15.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 41 820 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea's imports in kind of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal were largely oriented towards Thailand and China, whose combined share reached 98.0% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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 a two-year improvement, South Korea's imports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal declined. In 2020, imports reached 157.3 million US dollars, constituting a solid decline of 11.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 34.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 178.3 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand played the leading role in South Korea's imports in value terms, with a share of 71.8% of total flows, while other markets together accounted for the remainder.

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

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