South Korea Salmon Market

South Korea Salmon Market Overview:

The South Korea salmon market size reached 70.0 Thousand Tons in 2024. The market is projected to reach 110.0 Thousand Tons by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94% during 2025-2033. The market is expanding rapidly, driven by increased consumer demand for healthier protein sources and sustainable food options. With a growing focus on omega-3 benefits and premium salmon products, the South Korea salmon market share continues to rise across retail and foodservice sectors.

South Korea Salmon Market Trends:

Increasing Demand for Salmon in South Korea

The South Korean salmon market has been steadily growing, fueled by increasing consumer demand for healthy, protein-rich foods. As recognition of the health values of salmon, including its high level of omega-3 fatty acids, expands, more and more consumers are including it in their diets. The trend is enhanced by the growing popularity of Western-style diets, which set a priority on fish as a prime source of protein. The increasing middle-class consumer base in South Korea has also played a role in increasing demand, as consumers are looking for higher quality fish. The food services market, restaurants, and sushi bars have also experienced increased sales of salmon dishes, which has further boosted overall market growth. The growth of South Korea salmon market is also driven by increased availability of fresh and frozen salmon through improvements in the logistics of the supply chain, increasing accessibility to the product. Additionally, the emphasis of the government on maintaining food safety standards for imported fish has increased consumer confidence, resulting in increased consumption levels. Increased recognition of the necessity of well-balanced diets and the greater availability of salmon in retail networks and supermarkets have widened market access. This increased demand is dictating the future of South Korean markets for salmon, as local and foreign importers compete to satisfy changing consumer trends.

Supply Chain Enhancements and Sustainability Focus

South Korean imports of salmon have become more streamlined because of better supply chain operations. Local distributors and foreign suppliers alike have made considerable improvements over the past few years in guaranteeing the freshness of the product through advanced transportation means. This has resulted in decreased spoilage, guaranteeing that consumers enjoy quality salmon. The increasing focus on sustainability in the salmon farming sector is another trend in this line of business. Customers are becoming more interested in the environmentally friendly nature of farming methods, and accordingly, demand for sustainably farmed salmon is on the increase. This trend has led both domestic and overseas suppliers to follow environmentally friendly approaches, including minimizing carbon emissions and promoting improved animal welfare standards. In addition, the rising popularity of organic salmon has further influenced the market, with consumers ready to pay a premium for fish that adheres to such higher standards. With sustainability now playing a major role as a driver of purchase decisions, local producers and overseas suppliers alike are modifying their ways of practice to fit South Korea's rising ethical consumption patterns. Retailers and food service providers are also responding to this demand by offering more sustainably sourced salmon options, which resonate with consumers’ increasing environmental consciousness, shaping the future trajectory of the South Korea salmon market growth.

South Korea Salmon Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, species, end product type, and distribution channel.

Type Insights:

• Farmed
• Wild Captured

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type. This includes farmed and wild captured.

Species Insights:

• Atlantic
• Pink
• Chum/Dog
• Coho
• Sockeye
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the species have also been provided in the report. This includes Atlantic, pink, chum/dog, coho, sockeye, and others.

End Product Type Insights:

• Frozen
• Fresh
• Canned
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end product type. This includes frozen, fresh, canned, and others.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Foodservice
• Retail

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes foodservice and retail.

Regional Insights:

• Seoul Capital Area
• Yeongnam (Southeastern Region)
• Honam (Southwestern Region)
• Hoseo (Central Region)
• Others

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Seoul Capital Area, Yeongnam (Southeastern Region), Honam (Southwestern Region), Hoseo (Central Region), and others.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

South Korea Salmon Market News:

• December 2024: South Korea completed construction on its first land-based smart salmon farm, a significant step in the nation's aquaculture sector. This advancement boosted domestic salmon production, reducing reliance on imports and enhancing market sustainability, thereby positively impacting local salmon industry growth.

South Korea Salmon Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the South Korea salmon market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea salmon market on the basis of type?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea salmon market on the basis of species?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea salmon market on the basis of end product type?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea salmon market on the basis of distribution channel?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea salmon market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the South Korea salmon market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the South Korea salmon market?
• What is the structure of the South Korea salmon market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the South Korea salmon market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the South Korea salmon market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the South Korea salmon market.
• Porter's Five Forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the South Korea salmon industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive type and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.