South Korea is emerging as a major coffee exporter despite relying entirely on imported beans, with growth driven by an expanding domestic market and an advanced roasting industry.
The country’s coffee industry grew 35.6 percent from 2.75 trillion won ($1.9 billion) in 2018 to 3.74 trillion won in 2024, averaging 5.2 percent annual growth. The number of coffee shops surged 61.6 percent to 107,055 over the same period.
Coffee-related exports reached $229.6 million in 2024, up 4.6 percent from a year earlier, with instant coffee accounting for 98 percent of the 35,349 metric tons exported. Roasted coffee exports rose 46.8 percent year over year to 120,000 bags, reflecting growing demand for premium products.
Israel was the largest export market, accounting for 18.1 percent of exports, followed by China at 15.4 percent. Roasted coffee, the largest segment of the domestic market, generated about $920 million in sales and grew an average of 15.8 percent annually over the six-year period.
don@heraldcorp.com
