Ready-to-Eat Meals - South Korea

South Korea

Highlights

Revenue in the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market is projected to reach US$606.24m in 2025.
Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 8.12%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$828.35m by 2029.
With a projected market volume of US$32.27bn in 2025, most revenue is generated China.
In the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market, the number of users is expected to amount to 4.2m users by 2029.
User penetration will be 7.4% in 2025 and is expected to hit 8.6% by 2029.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) is expected to amount to US$169.44.

Market definitionIn-Scope/Out-of-scopeMarket structureReportsMethodology

The Ready-to-Eat Meals eCommerce Market in South Korea is experiencing moderate growth, influenced by factors such as busy lifestyles, increasing demand for convenience, and a shift towards online shopping for food products among consumers seeking efficiency and variety.

Customer preferences: Consumers in South Korea are increasingly favoring ready-to-eat meals that cater to their busy lifestyles, reflecting a desire for convenience without sacrificing quality. There is a notable shift towards healthier options, with an emphasis on organic ingredients and balanced nutrition, driven by a growing awareness of wellness. Additionally, younger demographics are embracing diverse international cuisines, fostering demand for unique flavors. The rise of social media influencers and food bloggers also plays a significant role in shaping preferences, encouraging exploration and experimentation with various meal options.

Trends in the market: In South Korea, the Ready-to-Eat Meals eCommerce Market is experiencing a surge in demand for convenient dining solutions that prioritize quality and health. Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards options featuring organic ingredients and balanced nutrition, reflecting a heightened focus on wellness. Meanwhile, younger generations are exploring diverse international cuisines, igniting a strong interest in unique flavors. The influence of social media personalities and food bloggers is further driving this trend, encouraging consumers to experiment with new meal choices and creating opportunities for brands to engage with a broader audience.

Local special circumstances: In South Korea, the Ready-to-Eat Meals eCommerce Market is shaped by a unique blend of cultural preferences and technological advancements. The country's fast-paced lifestyle drives demand for convenient meal options, while the rich culinary heritage fosters a strong inclination towards traditional dishes, often reimagined for modern consumption. Additionally, stringent food safety regulations enhance consumer trust in eCommerce platforms. The widespread adoption of mobile payment systems further facilitates online purchasing, making it easier for consumers to access diverse, high-quality meal options tailored to their evolving tastes.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The Ready-to-Eat Meals eCommerce Market in South Korea is significantly influenced by macroeconomic factors such as consumer spending patterns, economic stability, and urbanization trends. The country's robust economic growth fosters higher disposable incomes, enabling consumers to invest more in convenient meal options. Furthermore, the rise of eCommerce is supported by strong internet penetration and a tech-savvy population, enhancing online shopping experiences. National fiscal policies that promote innovation and support small businesses in the food sector also encourage market expansion. Additionally, global supply chain dynamics affect ingredient availability, impacting pricing and product diversity in the ready-to-eat segment.

Data coverage:

Data refers to B2C enterprises. Figures are based on the sale of physical goods via a digital channel to a private end consumer. This definition encompasses purchases via desktop computers (including notebooks and laptops) as well as purchases via mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets). The following are not included in the eCommerce market: digitally distributed services (see instead: eServices), digital media downloads or streams, digitally distributed goods in B2B markets, and the digital purchase or resale of used, defective, or repaired goods (reCommerce and C2C). All monetary figures refer to the annual gross revenue and do not factor in shipping costs.

Modeling approach / Market size:

Market sizes are determined by a combined top-down and bottom-up approach, based on a specific rationale for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use annual financial reports of the market-leading companies and industry associations, third-party studies and reports, survey results from our primary research (e.g., Statista Consumer Insights Global Survey), data on shopping behavior (e.g., Google Trends, Alibaba Trends), and performance factors (e.g., user penetration, price/product). Furthermore, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations such as GDP, consumer spending, internet penetration, and population. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the particular market. For example, the S-curve function and exponential trend smoothing are well suited for forecasting digital products and services due to the non-linear growth of technology adoption. The main drivers are GDP per capita, consumer spending per capita, internet penetration, and population.

Additional Notes:

The market is updated twice per year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered at a country-specific level. The impact of the Russia/Ukraine war is considered at a country-specific level.

Ready-to-Eat Meals - South Korea

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