K-food industry posts $80 billion in production last year, exports remain strong

Korea’s food industry posted production worth nearly 120 trillion won ($80 billion) last year, driven by growth in the so-called care food and dessert segments. Exports of K-food products, namely ramyeon instant noodles, also remained strong.

Domestic food industry production reached 119.7 trillion won in 2025, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Friday. The industry recorded an average annual growth rate of 7.3 percent over the past five years and continues to show an upward trend.

The industry's output was equivalent to 4.5 percent of Korea’s GDP, which totaled 2,663.3 trillion won last year. Food exports rose 8.3 percent on year to $7.86 billion.

The ministry said growth was particularly evident in products that reflect the “healthy pleasure” trend, which combines health-conscious consumption with the enjoyment of food.

The care food market expanded as demand for nutrition management among older adults and infants increased. Care foods are tailored products designed to meet specific health conditions and nutritional requirements.

Production of foods for special medical purposes — products intended for people with limited digestive or absorption abilities or those requiring specialized nutrition because of illness or surgery — increased 11.3 percent from a year earlier. Production of special nutritional foods, which target groups such as infants, people with obesity, pregnant women and older adults, rose 15.3 percent.

Consumers also increasingly sought convenient ways to maintain balanced diets amid busy lifestyles. Production of salads and sprout vegetables increased 7.9 percent on year, while production of seonsik, a powdered grain-based meal replacement, surged 41.7 percent.

The dessert market also benefited from consumers seeking indulgence and satisfaction. Production of cakes, doughnuts and pies rose 10.4 percent to 1.47 trillion won.

Production of health functional foods totaled 2.82 trillion won last year. Vitamin and mineral supplements ranked first in production value for a second consecutive year and also surpassed red ginseng products in domestic sales. By nutritional ingredient, vitamin C products recorded the highest production value, followed by calcium and zinc.

Exports of health functional foods increased 14.2 percent to $318.2 million, marking a third consecutive year of double-digit growth. The ministry attributed the increase to rising overseas awareness fueled by the popularity of K-food and K-beauty.

K-food-driven export growth was also evident in processed foods. Exports of ramyeon increased 26.5 percent to $1.5 billion, while some convenience foods, including frozen gimbap, recorded export growth of 180.9 percent.

A total of 11 companies reported annual production exceeding 1 trillion won, one more than the previous year. Among food manufacturers, CJ CheilJedang ranked No. 1 with production worth 2.71 trillion won. Among livestock product processors, Seoul Dairy Coop ranked first, with production valued at 1.27 trillion won.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY JUNG JONG-HOON [[email protected]]