Sweet potatoe market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean sweet potato market volume fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, starting at 306 тыс. т in 2018 and peaking at 368 тыс. т in 2019. A 10.5% contraction followed in 2020, bringing the market down to 330 тыс. т, before a 5.8% recovery to 349 тыс. т in 2021. The market then saw two consecutive years of decline, falling to 299 тыс. т by 2023.

A key driver behind the 2021 rebound was a 4.4% expansion in the cultivated area to over 23 thousand hectares, which directly increased output. Throughout the period, the share of domestically developed sweet potato varieties grew steadily, reaching 37.1% by 2022, enhancing crop stability and functional quality. Government support measures, including the creation of smart orchard complexes and incentives for young entrepreneurs, were also rolled out to strengthen the industry's foundation.

Consumer purchasing channels underwent a major shift, moving first from traditional markets to supermarkets and then rapidly toward online platforms, which became the dominant sales channel by 2024. This transition emphasized the need for improved quality control in storage and delivery. Concurrently, rising health consciousness boosted demand for functional foods, leading to calls for better nutritional and functional labeling on packaging. Regulatory changes, such as the easing of large-store operating hours and the removal of restrictions on online orders, further reshaped the retail landscape.

Production sweet potatoe in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

South Korea was among the world's leading producers of sweet potatoes from 2017 to 2020, ranking 27th globally by production volume.

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

In 2020, South Korea produced 329.9 thousand tons of sweet potatoes, marking a significant 10.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 305.3 thousand tons, while it peaked in 2019 at 368.3 thousand tons. The most substantial growth occurred in 2019, with a 20.6% increase.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

South Korea's sweet potato exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 357.4 tons, which represents a notable 23.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 13.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 186.2 tons, with the largest decline that year at 40.8%. In contrast, the most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a 54.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong and Singapore dominated South Korea's sweet potato export structure in terms of volume, while other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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 sweet potato exports in value terms increased for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 1 454 thousand US dollars, up by 21.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 45.2%, equating to an average annual rate of 13.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 894 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 10.8%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a 34.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for South Korea's sweet potato exports in value terms were Hong Kong (56.9% of total exports), Singapore (17.6%), and the United States (8.0%), together accounting for 82.5% 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 sweet potatoe to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

The import market for sweet potatoes in South Korea showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 42.0 tons, representing an abrupt 79.3% year-on-year decline, while they peaked in 2018 at 496.6 tons, with a difference of 11.8 times between these years. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 58.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, China and Vietnam accounted for the majority of South Korea's sweet potato imports in volume, jointly taking 99.9% of total import flows.

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

The import market in value terms exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports bottomed in 2020 at 46 thousand US dollars, corresponding to an 83.0% year-on-year drop, while they peaked in 2018 at 527 thousand US dollars, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 11.5 times. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 47.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China (with 60.1% of total import flows) and Vietnam (39.7%) were the key markets for South Korea's sweet potato imports in value terms, together forming 99.8% of total 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