Meat total sales volume South Korea 2018, by type
In 2018, the total sales volume of meat was at around 2.6 million tons, around half of that being pork and around one quarter being poultry.
Imports
In order to meet the country’s demands, around 5.2 billion U.S. dollars’ worth of meat were imported in 2019. Around half of the meat imports that year originated in the United States, which were leading imports for most types of meat. In 2018, around 700 million U.S. dollars’ worth of pork were imported from there, out of a total import value of around two billion U.S. dollars.
Distribution channels
In 2017, around 67.8 percent of retail meat sales were made via hypermarkets and supermarkets. According to a survey, households in South Korea spent around 55.3 thousand South Korean won per month on meat, making it the grocery they spent the most money on. This figure does not include money spent on foodservice. Around three quarters of meat distributed in foodservice was sold in restaurants.
In South Korea, online grocery shopping is increasingly popular. Nevertheless, while a growing number of consumers are open to the thought of buying their groceries online, many are still reluctant when it comes to buying fresh items, like meat. In a survey in January 2019, half of respondents stated that they were hesitant to purchase meat online.
Imports
In order to meet the country’s demands, around 5.2 billion U.S. dollars’ worth of meat were imported in 2019. Around half of the meat imports that year originated in the United States, which were leading imports for most types of meat. In 2018, around 700 million U.S. dollars’ worth of pork were imported from there, out of a total import value of around two billion U.S. dollars.
Distribution channels
In 2017, around 67.8 percent of retail meat sales were made via hypermarkets and supermarkets. According to a survey, households in South Korea spent around 55.3 thousand South Korean won per month on meat, making it the grocery they spent the most money on. This figure does not include money spent on foodservice. Around three quarters of meat distributed in foodservice was sold in restaurants.
In South Korea, online grocery shopping is increasingly popular. Nevertheless, while a growing number of consumers are open to the thought of buying their groceries online, many are still reluctant when it comes to buying fresh items, like meat. In a survey in January 2019, half of respondents stated that they were hesitant to purchase meat online.
