IMARC Group has recently released a new research study titled “South Korea Soup Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Type, Category, Packaging, Distribution Channel, and Region, 2025-2033”, offers a detailed analysis of the market drivers, segmentation, growth opportunities, trends and competitive landscape to understand the current and future market scenarios.
South Korea Soup Market Overview
The South Korea Soup Market size was valued at USD 231.42 Million in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 373.74 Million by 2033. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.91% during the forecast period 2025-2033. This growth is primarily driven by the rising demand among active urban consumers and single-person households for wellness-oriented and convenient low-sodium, plant-based, and classic Korean flavor soups offered in accessible formats such as cup soups and powdered blends.
Study Assumption Years
- Base Year: 2024
- Historical Year/Period: 2019-2024
- Forecast Year/Period: 2025-2033
South Korea Soup Market Key Takeaways
- Current Market Size: USD 231.42 Million (2024)
- CAGR: 4.91% (2025-2033)
- Forecast Period: 2025-2033
- Rising demand among urban professionals and single-person households for ready-to-eat soups blending traditional flavors with convenience.
- Increasing preference for instant powdered soups, cup portions, and freeze-dried varieties requiring minimal preparation.
- Growth driven by hectic lifestyles and health trends, leading to launches of low-sodium, plant-based, and additive-free soups.
- Expansion of e-commerce and convenience stores enhances market accessibility, especially in cities like Seoul and Busan.
- Heritage Korean soups such as seaweed soup and soybean paste are being made portable in modern convenient formats.
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Market Growth Factors
The South Korea soup market growth is primarily propelled by surging demand for convenient and health-conscious soup formats. Modern South Korean consumers, especially urban professionals and one-person households, prefer ready-to-eat soups that combine traditional flavors with contemporary convenience. This has led to a notable rise in demand for instant powdered soups, cup portions, and freeze-dried varieties that require minimal preparation yet provide nutritional benefits. Producers respond by introducing low-sodium, plant-based, and additive-free soup products aligning well with Korea’s broader wellness-focused food culture, a trend growing in popularity particularly across urban centers like Seoul and Busan.
The growing penetration of e-commerce platforms and food delivery applications is another critical driver supporting the South Korea soup market expansion. These digital channels significantly increase accessibility, enabling specialty and premium soup brands to reach consumers across the nation swiftly and efficiently. This convenience complements urban consumers’ busy lifestyles, facilitating the purchase of innovative and health-oriented soup formats. The proliferation of convenience stores further enhances product availability, boosting the market share and fostering competitive dynamics among market players.
Additionally, there’s a convergence of Korea’s rich soup heritage with contemporary consumption habits. Iconic signature soups including seaweed soup, soybean paste (doenjang-guk), and regional favorites such as Busan’s dwaeji gukbap and Jeju’s gogi-guksu are now offered in convenient cup or dry forms. This blend of tradition and innovation caters to consumers seeking authentic flavors in portable formats suitable for office or home consumption without cooking time. Furthermore, functional ingredients like probiotics, collagen, mushrooms, and herbs are incorporated in soups to enhance digestive health, immunity, and overall wellbeing, reflecting growing health consciousness and personalization trends in the soup market.
Market Segmentation
Type Insights:
- Canned/Preserved Soup: Includes shelf-stable soups preserved in cans or jars, offering convenience and longer shelf life.
- Chilled Soup: Refrigerated soup varieties requiring cold storage to maintain freshness and quality.
- Dehydrated Soup: Soups in powdered or dried form that require reconstitution with water before consumption.
- Frozen Soup: Soups sold in frozen state to preserve taste and nutrients, requiring reheating.
- UHT Soup: Ultra-high temperature treated soups providing extended shelf life without refrigeration.
Category Insights:
- Vegetarian Soup: Soups prepared without meat, focusing on plant-based ingredients catering to vegetarian consumers.
- Non-Vegetarian Soup: Soups containing meat or animal-based ingredients catering to non-vegetarian preferences.
Packaging Insights:
- Canned: Soups packaged in metal cans providing durability and shelf life.
- Pouched: Soups in flexible pouch packaging offering portability and convenience.
- Others: Includes alternative or innovative packaging types outside canned and pouched categories.
Distribution Channel Insights:
- Supermarkets and Hypermarkets: Large retail outlets serving as a major sales channel for soups.
- Convenience Stores: Small retail stores offering easy access to ready-to-eat soup products.
- Online Stores: E-commerce platforms providing nationwide accessibility and delivery of soup products.
- Others: Other distribution channels including specialty retailers and food service outlets.
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Regional Insights
The dominant region in the South Korea soup market is the Seoul Capital Area. Although specific statistics regarding market share or CAGR per region are not explicitly provided, the report mentions cities such as Seoul and Busan as key urban centers where demand for convenient, health-focused soups is particularly strong. The regional markets analyzed include Seoul Capital Area, Yeongnam (Southeastern Region), Honam (Southwestern Region), Hoseo (Central Region), and others, highlighting a widespread penetration of soup products across the country.
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