Nina Jobst
Research expert covering South Korea
Non-alcoholic beverages market in South Korea - statistics & facts
South Korea is the birthplace of multiple beverage trends, be it making sweet Dalgona coffee at home or the infamous shape of ready-to-drink banana milk. The South Korean non-alcoholic beverage market was among the 10 largest worldwide in 2022. Domestically, non-alcoholic beverages held a constant share of sales in the Korean food and beverage market. Domestic brands are so popular that they are staples in most Korean restaurants. A prime example of this are Lotte Chilsung’s soft drink Chilsung Cider or the soju brand Chum-Churum. However, on the growing F&B market in South Korea, consumer demand for new products is high, and retail channels vary. Besides going to brick-and-mortar stores, online grocery shopping has become a new standard.
What are the most popular non-alcoholic drinks in South Korea?
South Koreans are known for their love of coffee - their busy working culture with long hours is a potential contributor to that. Considering this, it comes as no surprise that it was named as the most preferred beverage in the country. The caffeine intake seems to play a secondary role for some consumers, as the interest in decaffeinated coffee is growing. So, the coffee market in South Korea is still flourishing. Another up-and-coming beverage trend is rooted in South Koreans’ health consciousness. Namely, the interest in zero calorie and sugar-free drinks. The market for such beverages has been expected to more than triple in value compared to 2016 and grow even further.Consumer perspective
Non-alcoholic beverages are naturally consumed multiple times a day. South Koreans tend to consume their beverages together with their meals, according to data collected in food diaries during the last five years. On average, one to two cups of coffee are consumed each day. Only a small percentage of respondents in a survey drank more than four cups regularly. Similar to the increased interest in decaffeinated coffee, the popularity of alcohol-free drinks is growing. During the ongoing inflation in the country, prices for consumer goods have increased. This has forced consumers to spend more on everything, but especially on necessities such as food and beverages.
