2025 Korea Pet Food Market
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Created time
2025/04/14 04:41
Rick Kim
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The South Korean Pet Food Market in 2025 and Beyond: Growth, Trends, and Key Players
As of 2025, South Korea’s pet food market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing pet ownership, the humanization of pets, and a strong demand for premium products.
Market Size and Growth Projections
• 2025 Market Size: The pet food market in South Korea is projected to reach approximately USD 1.32 billion in 2025.
• Future Outlook: With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.38%, the market is expected to expand to USD 1.98 billion by 2030 .
Pet Population Trends
• Dogs: Dogs remain the most popular pets in South Korea, with a substantial number of households owning at least one dog.
• Cats: The cat population has been growing steadily, with a 4% increase from 2019 to 2023, surpassing the growth rate of other pet animals .
Distribution Channels
• Specialty Stores: These stores account for the largest revenue share in the pet food market, offering a wide range of premium products.
• Online Channels: E-commerce platforms are gaining popularity, providing convenience and a broad selection of pet food options.
Pet Food Trends
• Premiumization: There’s a growing preference for premium pet food brands that offer high-quality, diverse ingredients.
• Human-Grade Products: The market for human-grade pet food is expanding, with a projected CAGR of 7.9% from 2025 to 2030 .
• Wet and Treats: Wet cat food, treats, and mixes are anticipated to see strong growth rates, aligning with the increasing demand for high-quality pet nutrition.
Key Market Players
The South Korean pet food market is consolidated, with major players including:
• Wooriwa Pet Food
• Mars Incorporated
• LG Unicharm
•
• CJ CheilJedang Corp.
• Nestlé Purina SA
These companies focus on product launches and acquisitions to strengthen their market presence.
Export and Import Dynamics
• Exports: South Korea aims to increase its pet food exports significantly, targeting a rise from USD 149 million in 2022 to USD 500 million by 2027 .
• Imports: While imported products have traditionally dominated the market, imports declined in 2023 for the first time in over a decade, likely due to increased local competition .
Future Outlook
The South Korean pet food market is poised for continued growth, driven by:
• Increasing Pet Ownership: More households are adopting pets, contributing to higher demand for pet food.
• Health and Wellness Focus: Pet owners are seeking products that cater to specific dietary needs and promote overall pet health.
• Innovation: Companies are investing in research and development to introduce new, high-quality products that meet evolving consumer preferences.
With these trends, South Korea’s pet food market is expected to remain dynamic and competitive in the coming years.
Market Size and Growth Projections
• 2025 Market Size: The pet food market in South Korea is projected to reach approximately USD 1.32 billion in 2025.
• Future Outlook: With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.38%, the market is expected to expand to USD 1.98 billion by 2030 .
Pet Population Trends
• Dogs: Dogs remain the most popular pets in South Korea, with a substantial number of households owning at least one dog.
• Cats: The cat population has been growing steadily, with a 4% increase from 2019 to 2023, surpassing the growth rate of other pet animals .
Distribution Channels
• Specialty Stores: These stores account for the largest revenue share in the pet food market, offering a wide range of premium products.
• Online Channels: E-commerce platforms are gaining popularity, providing convenience and a broad selection of pet food options.
Pet Food Trends
• Premiumization: There’s a growing preference for premium pet food brands that offer high-quality, diverse ingredients.
• Human-Grade Products: The market for human-grade pet food is expanding, with a projected CAGR of 7.9% from 2025 to 2030 .
• Wet and Treats: Wet cat food, treats, and mixes are anticipated to see strong growth rates, aligning with the increasing demand for high-quality pet nutrition.
Key Market Players
The South Korean pet food market is consolidated, with major players including:
• Wooriwa Pet Food
• Mars Incorporated
• LG Unicharm
•
• CJ CheilJedang Corp.
• Nestlé Purina SA
These companies focus on product launches and acquisitions to strengthen their market presence.
Export and Import Dynamics
• Exports: South Korea aims to increase its pet food exports significantly, targeting a rise from USD 149 million in 2022 to USD 500 million by 2027 .
• Imports: While imported products have traditionally dominated the market, imports declined in 2023 for the first time in over a decade, likely due to increased local competition .
Future Outlook
The South Korean pet food market is poised for continued growth, driven by:
• Increasing Pet Ownership: More households are adopting pets, contributing to higher demand for pet food.
• Health and Wellness Focus: Pet owners are seeking products that cater to specific dietary needs and promote overall pet health.
• Innovation: Companies are investing in research and development to introduce new, high-quality products that meet evolving consumer preferences.
With these trends, South Korea’s pet food market is expected to remain dynamic and competitive in the coming years.
