South Korea

Within plant-based dairy in South Korea, plant-based milk was the only category with notable packaging volumes in 2023, as plant-based yoghurt and cheese are still in their early stages of development. Brick liquid cartons is the preferred pack type…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Total processed and fruit and vegetables packaging volumes maintained slow, stable growth in 2023. Within frozen processed potatoes, flexible plastic was the only pack type with notable packaging volumes in South Korea in 2023, due to its…

Total packaging volumes declined in processed meat and seafood for a second year in South Korea in 2023, although this was a continued normalisation process after the pandemic, and volumes remained higher than in 2019. Chilled processed meat…

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…