Market research

Tomato market in South Korea

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh tomatoes in South Korea contracted from 384 thousand tons in 2018 to 340 thousand tons in 2020, before recovering to 374 thousand tons in 2022. In 2023, however, volume fell again to 335 thousand tons.

The rebound in 2021 and 2022 coincided with broader growth in the Korean food industry, where ready‑to‑eat items, seasonings, beverages, and processed seafood drove market expansion. At the same time, a customs ruling that reclassified Chinese ‘oven‑baked tomatoes’ as frozen vegetables and raised the applicable tariff rate to 27% shielded domestic producers from import competition, supporting local output.

In 2023, packaging and logistics innovations emerged, such as recyclable paper packaging for dry foods and a reusable container solution designed specifically for shipping tomato products, though these developments did not prevent a decline in overall market volume that year.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Korea
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production tomato in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Tomato production in South Korea has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 344.0 thousand tons of tomatoes, representing a 4.1% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 388.7 thousand tons, marking a 9.4% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest drop in production, with a decrease of 7.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.4%	(7.7%)	(4.1%)	(1.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of tomato production in South Korea has also decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, tomato output was valued at 1 000 million US dollars, showing a slight reduction of 1.1% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, however, production value actually increased by 4.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 1 074 million US dollars, which was a 12.4% increase from 2017. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 5.9% drop in value.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.4%	(5.9%)	(1.1%)	1.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports tomato from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, South Korea's tomato export volume declined in 2020. Exports that year stood at 4 315 tons, which is 17.8% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports still managed to increase by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 249 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when exports grew by 17.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17.5%	6.3%	(17.8%)	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan was the dominant and nearly exclusive market for South Korea's tomato exports in volume terms, accounting for 96.9% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of increases, the value of tomato exports from South Korea declined in 2020. Export volume amounted to 12 545 thousand US dollars, indicating a significant decrease of 15.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value increased by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 14 803 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 20.7% rise in value.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	20.7%	8.4%	(15.2%)	3.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Korea's tomato exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Japan, which accounted for 96.4% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tomato to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Korea's tomato imports in volume terms were almost entirely sourced from the United States, which held a 100.0% share of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the key partner for South Korea's tomato imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io