Sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

South Korea's market for sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts grew by 8% to 7 213 t in 2019, supported by active new product launches in the plant-based food sector and expanding online and offline distribution channels for fresh and processed plant products. The following year, market volume dropped by 17% to 6 005 t.

Recovery began in 2021 with a 12% increase to 6 731 t, fueled by rising consumer health awareness and vegetarian trends that boosted demand for alternative foods. Growth continued in 2022, reaching 7 170 t, as domestic companies strengthened their market position through continued innovation and as stricter food safety and pesticide residue regulations for plant-based raw materials encouraged quality improvements.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply by 21% to 5 699 t, coinciding with the government's tighter food labeling and packaging regulations that affected market accessibility. During the same period, the plant-based beverage segment expanded rapidly, drawing consumer interest. Entering 2024, ongoing factors such as increased online shopping, further regulatory tightening on health functional foods, and global supply chain instability continue to shape the market environment.

Production sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea ranked seventh globally in the production of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

Top producers of sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, South Korea produced 5 632 tonnes of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruits, and nuts, marking a 17.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 22.3%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 8.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 8.0%.

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

Exports sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, South Korea's exports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruits, and nuts amounted to 90.4 tonnes, reflecting a 44.7% year-on-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 56%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -23.9%. The largest increase was observed in 2019, at 7.0%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the three largest markets for South Korea's exports in kind were the United States, Hong Kong, and Mongolia, which together accounted for 67.9% 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

After a two-year decline, South Korea's cross-border shipments of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruits, and nuts increased. In 2020, exports reached 761 thousand US dollars, showing a modest gain of 2.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 747 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 4.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, China, and Hong Kong led as the top buyers of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruits, and nuts from South Korea in value terms, with shares of 59.5%, 11.1%, and 6.4%, respectively. Collectively, these three markets represented 77.0% 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 sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year rise, South Korea's imports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruits, and nuts in kind declined. In 2020, imports stood at 463.1 tonnes, a 16.4% reduction compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.5%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 553.7 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 30.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated South Korea's imports in kind, holding an 80.7% share of total volumes, while other partners accounted for the remainder.

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 imports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruits, and nuts in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 1 682 thousand US dollars, representing a notable 22.4% year-on-year uptick. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 97.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China, Thailand, and Spain were the three largest sources for South Korea's imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.4% 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