Tea market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The tea market in South Korea demonstrated consistent growth from 2018 to 2023, with total volume increasing from 14 921 t to 17 115 t. This represents an overall expansion of nearly 15% over the six-year period. Each year saw a positive gain, with annual growth rates ranging between 2% and 3.5%, indicating stable and sustained demand for tea within the country.

Domestic tea production rose in parallel with the market's expansion, climbing from 13 762 t to 16 000 t over the same timeframe. While import volumes fluctuated mildly, the steady increase in local output provided a solid foundation for the growing market supply, supporting the overall upward trajectory in consumption.

Production tea in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, South Korea ranked as the 26th largest tea producer in the world.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

South Korea's tea production volume grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 14 890 tonnes of tea, marking a 4.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 12.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, South Korea's tea output was valued at 203.5 million US dollars, reflecting a solid 11.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 228.0 million US dollars, which saw a 33.1% increase. However, in 2019, production value experienced its largest decline of 19.6%.

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

Exports tea from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

South Korea's tea exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 500 tonnes, showing a sharp 37.7% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.4%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 355 tonnes, which represented a 30.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea's tea exports in volume were widely distributed across partner countries. The United States accounted for 32.4% of exports, Japan for 7.5%, and Germany for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.1% 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, K $ US

After a two-year decline, South Korea's tea exports in value terms increased. In 2020, exports stood at 6 834 thousand US dollars, which is 46.8% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 655 thousand US dollars, which saw a 20.8% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States led South Korea's tea exports in value terms with a 35.5% share, followed by China at 14.9% and Germany at 10.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 60.9% 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 tea to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

South Korea's tea imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 374 tonnes, representing a 9.0% decrease year-on-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 514 tonnes, which saw a 27.5% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China consistently held the leading position in South Korea's tea imports by volume, accounting for 38.7% of imports. Sri Lanka followed with 15.7%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 10.8%. Together, these three sources represented 65.2% 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

In 2020, South Korea imported approximately 21 220 thousand US dollars worth of tea, showing a measured 5.9% gain from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 32.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 30.3%.

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

The market base for South Korea's tea imports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. China accounted for 27.1% of imports, Asia, not elsewhere specified for 12.5%, and Sri Lanka for 9.4%. Together, these three sources represented just 49.0% of total flows, with the remaining 51.0% shared among numerous other countries.

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

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