South Korea

Amid the growing climate change crisis, local interest in eco-friendly practices has risen significantly, aligning with value-based consumption. To reflect this trend, players in processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat in South Korea are…

Unlike in some other packaged food categories, despite seeing exceptional growth in the first year of the pandemic in 2020, total packaging volumes of processed meat and seafood did not turn to decline in the following two years, although different…

Total packaging volumes for processed fruit and vegetables saw growth in 2022, after already seeing exceptional growth during the pandemic. Growth was seen in packaging volumes across all categories except shelf stable beans, and across all pack…

The rise in single-person households in South Korea is leading to a growing trend towards practical and portioned consumption patterns. Many local consumers seek convenient options that align with their busy lifestyles, and frozen processed fruit and…

Premium beauty and personal care maintained solid but slowing current value growth in South Korea in 2023. Within premium beauty and personal care, fragrances, BB/CC creams, hand care, and lipstick demonstrated robust growth, amongst others. These…

Value sales of premium and luxury cars rose by 23% to total KRW28.0 trillion in 2023, as more higher-income consumers in South Korea opted to buy a new luxury vehicle despite macroeconomic headwinds. Wealth determines the degree of demand that exists…

In 2022, South Korea witnessed growth in both the issuance and usage of pre-paid cards in line with greater mobility outside of the home. Shinhan Card, in particular, played a role in driving this growth, reporting a remarkable increase in the retail…

Overall demand for portable players is expected to increase in 2023, but most categories are set to maintain retail volume declines, and growth will be driven solely by the dominant wireless speakers category. In addition to use within the home, in…

Shoe polish is the largest category in polishes and faced a weaker performance in 2023 following the strong rebound in sales during 2022. Demand for shoe polish rebounded strongly in 2022, as professionals returning to offices opted for formal attire…

Total packaging volumes for plant-based dairy continued to rise in 2022, with growth seen across all pack types, although plant-based milk remained the only category with notable volumes, as plant-based yoghurt and cheese are still in their early…

Plant-based dairy experienced a notable increase in sales over the review period, and this is set to continue in 2023. In South Korea, plant-based dairy is primarily dominated by plant-based milk, as plant-based yoghurt and cheese are still in their…

In 2024, pet products in South Korea is set to maintain the trend seen in 2023, displaying overall resilience, but each category exhibiting its own growth trajectory. Cat litter, for example, is expected to see continued consistent and robust…