South Korea Vegan Food Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

South Korea Vegan Food Market Outlook

The South Korea vegan food market is expected to reach USD 33.23 million and grow at a CAGR of 6% between 2024 and 2032. The growing instance of lactose intolerance and preference for sustainable food is anticipated to lead the alternative meat market in the country.

News and Development

• South Korean Food Company Pulmuone introduced more than 20 vegan food products  under their subsidiary Plantspired. Many of these substitutes are high in protein and low in calories. Over the past decade, the consumption of plant-based food products has grown exponentially. As per Korea Vegetarian Union, the population shifted to a vegan diet of 1.5 million in 2018.

• CJ Cheildang  launched a new subsidiary brand called PlantTable. The company has launched various plant-based alternatives similar to real meat in terms of taste and texture. Also, the South Korean government has increased its investment in startups actively working on the research and development of plant-based protein and lab-based meat. As per Korea Agro Fisheries and Food Trade Corp., the market is anticipated to reach 7 trillion won by 2024.

• Shinsegae Food to boost and expand its market with vegan canned ham as a healthy alternative meat. The company also launched other meat alternatives according to the western palette to reach international consumers. Moreover, Lotte Food and Nongshim also established their vegan food subsidiaries, Zero Meat and Veggie Garden, respectively.

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Key Trends in the Market

Vegetarians and vegans refrain from eating meat. Veganism , on the other hand, is stricter and forbids dairy, eggs, honey, and anything else derived from animal products, including meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish, as well as eggs, dairy products, honey, gelatin, and any kinds of animal protein or fats.

Awareness Regarding Animal Cruelty is Picking Up Pace

The number of animal welfare-conscious people is on the rise. Significantly, the younger generation is increasingly opting for a plant-based diet. This factor positively affects the market growth and urges manufacturers to launch more vegan food items in the South Korean food market.

Lactose intolerance  among the South Korean Population

Especially in Asian nations, lactose intolerance is extremely widespread. This is caused by "gene-culture co-evolution,"   A person has lactose intolerance if they are unable to digest lactose in milk because they are deficient in the lactase enzyme. Such people have bloating, flatulence, and diarrhoea after consuming dairy products. More than 75% of the South Korean population is lactose tolerant, aiding the vegan food market in the country. Companies are actively investing in the development of plant-based alternatives to dairy products. 

Opportunities in the Market

Growing Demand for Ingredient Transparency and Clean-Labelled food items

Consumers prefer food items which are natural, healthy, and whose labels are easy to understand. Thus, they are more inclined toward clean label products than conventional food products. Furthermore, Customers tend to get more attracted toward the brands that focus on improving their environmental impact, making transparent ingredients labelled products popular. Additionally, rising discretionary income is also a contributing factor to the market progression.

Preference For Eco-friendly Packaging is on the Rise Among Consumers

Awareness regarding sustainable packaging is expanding, especially among generation Z and millennials, due to the increased use of social media. Furthermore, a global packaging exhibition known as ‘Korea Pack ’ is conducted every year, which provides a platform to disseminate the newest technologies and products related to the packaging industry.

Promotion of Vegan Lifestyle  by Celebrities is Augmenting the Market Growth

In comparison to conventional celebrity-endorsed advertising, marketing that incorporates "real-life" scenarios such as when users use products or take up a specific lifestyle in their lives has more favourable impacts. It helps in moulding people's attitudes, intentions, and willingness to try, and builds connections with that celebrity. Several South Korean celebrities such as Lee Hyori, Lee Ha-Nui, and Claudia Kim, among others, support and follow a vegan lifestyle. Their influence among citizens also urges fans to opt for a vegan lifestyle.

Health Benefits  of Consuming a Vegan Diet

People who consume a vegan diet which is low in fat and high in fibre, tend to lose weight faster than those who follow a non-vegetarian diet. It also helps maintain cholesterol levels, lowering the chances of developing any heart diseases. Moreover, the risk of developing several types of cancer in the human body is reduced among those who follow a vegan lifestyle. There is a chance that plant-based diets could result in insufficient protein, vitamin, and mineral consumption. However, these hazards may easily be avoided by taking the appropriate plant-based foods and, if required, supplements. Tofu, lentils, and spinach are rich sources of iron, whereas soy, almonds, and quinoa are good sources of protein.

Challenges in the Market

Cost of Vegan Food is High in South Korea

Vegan cafes and restaurants are mainly available in posh areas such as Gangnam and Itaewon. As a result, vegan food is quite high-priced. Moreover, most people are non-vegetarians in the country; hence very few restaurants offer plant-based alternatives. Veganism is undoubtedly a growing trend, although there is just a small percentage of the population that practises it. Once vegan businesses have established a market presence and a devoted consumer base, they will be able to reduce R&D expenditures, resulting in lower prices for the end user.

Market Analysis

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Based on product type, the South Korea vegan food market can be segmented into Dairy Alternatives such as Milk, Cheese, Yoghurt, and Dessert, among others, meat substitutes such as Tofu, TVP, Seiten, and Quorn, among others, Egg Alternatives, Vegan Bakery, Confectionary, and Plant-based snacks, among others. Based on distribution channels, the market can be bifurcated into hypermarkets and Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Specialty Stores, and Online, among others.
 

• CJ CheilJedang Corp.

• Phyto Corporation

• The PlantEat Inc

• Zikooin Company

• Others

Market Share by Product Type

The growing health and environmental concerns drive the market for dairy, egg and meat alternatives. They secure a significant share in the market, followed by plant-based snacks, bakery and confectionary products. 

The rising prevalence of lactose intolerance and consumer awareness regarding the environment and animal cruelty are expected to aid the market growth during the forecast period. 

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Competitive Landscape

The PlanEat Inc. - Through technical developments, PlantEat intends to make new plant-based food products widely accessible for consumption by everyone. The PlantEat is a food technology firm that creates, develops, manufactures, sells, and distributes a range of plant-based substitutes. It was created to address social problems including the excessive reliance on animal products in diets and nutritional imbalances around the world. The PlantEat seeks to enhance and establish balanced eating practises to maintain everyone's health and fitness.

CJ Cheildang- A division of the CJ Group, CJ CheilJedang Corp. is active in the biotechnology and food industry. In addition to instant cooked rice and mixed flour goods, this company sells health foods, processed foods, and animal feeds. The company has a separate brand for vegan food products known as PlantTable. The brand is known for its eco-friendly and advanced biotechnology in the market. The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, with various branches in Asia-pacific, the United States of America and European regions.

Key Highlights of the Report