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2026 Developments
Dairy products and alternatives in South Korea in 2026 shows resilience, predicted to achieve a retail value of KRW6,532 billion with a growth of 0.2% despite demographic headwinds and subdued macroeconomic conditions. The market stands out for its transition from volume-driven growth to value generation, leveraging innovation in wellness, protein enrichment, and premium positioning to counteract a shrinking population and evolving consumption patterns. With robust gains in plant-based dairy and baby food, and continued premiumisation across traditional dairy, the environment remains attractive for brands that can differentiate through health credentials, specialised nutrition and strategic channel management. To succeed, companies must focus on higher-value propositions, digital engagement and diversification into wellness-oriented and functional products, while also adapting to shifts in retail channels and the rising prominence of e-commerce and convenience formats.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Dairy Products and Alternatives industry in South Korea with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Dairy Products and Alternatives industry in South Korea, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Dairy Products and Alternatives in South Korea report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Dairy Products and Alternatives in South Korea?
- Which are the leading brands in Dairy Products and Alternatives in South Korea?
- How are products distributed in Dairy Products and Alternatives in South Korea?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Dairy Products and Alternatives?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in South Korea?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Dairy Products and Alternatives in South Korea
2026 Developments
Key Data Insights
Chart 1 Key Industry Trends for Dairy Products and Alternatives
Value Growth Driven Wellness Positioning and Innovation
Premiumisation and Plant-Based Reset Unlock Value beyond Volume Growth
Chart 2 Maeil Soy Milk
Yopro Leverages Protein Focus to Boost Yoghurt Relevance
Chart 3 Yopro Protein Yoghurt
Chart 4 Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 5 Value Sales by Category 2026
Manufacturers Prioritise Wellness and Premium Features to Offset Declining Volume
Yoghurt and Plant-Based Drinks Gain Traction as Consumption Habits Diversify
Chart 6 Analyst Insight for Dairy Products and Alternatives
Premium Infant Nutrition and Specialty Products Sustain Value Amid Demographic Decline
Chart 7 Forecast Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 8 Forecast Value Sales by Category 2026-2031
Maeil Dairies Co Ltd Leverages Wellness to Narrow Gap with Seoul Dairy Cooperative
Top Players Maintain Lead through Stong Brand Equity and Strategic Responses
Chart 9 Company Shares 2026
Chart 10 Brand Shares 2026
Retail E-Commerce Captures Premium and Specialised Dairy Demand
Convenience Stores Expand Private Label Milk to Attract Value-Driven Shoppers
Chart 11 Retail Channels 2021-2026
Clean-Label Design Drives Soy Milk Reinvention
Multi-Attribute Formulation Redefines Yoghurt's Functional Role
Technical Differentiation Defines Premium Milk Formats
Chart 12 Economic Context for Dairy Products and Alternatives
Chart 13 Real Gdp Growth 2021-2031
Chart 14 Inflation 2021-2031
Chart 15 Consumer Context for Dairy Products and Alternatives
Chart 16 Population 2021-2031
Chart 17 Population by Generation 2026
Chart 18 Consumer Expenditure 2021-2031
Baby Food in South Korea
Key Data Insights
Baby Food Summary
Chart 19 Key Industry Trends for Baby Food
Premiumisation Fuels Growth Despite Declining Birth Rate
Milk Formula Outpaces Others as Parents Seek Functional Benefits
Chart 20 Maeil Dairies Sangha Ranch Infant Food Range
Ildong Foodis’ Functional Wellness Launch Raises Quality Expectations
Chart 21 Ildong Foodis Infant Seaweed Side Dish
Chart 22 Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 23 Value Sales by Category 2026
Evolution beyond Traditional Formula Drives Premiumisation and Value Growth
Maeil Dairies and Ildong Foodis Broaden Portfolios to Capture Snack and Toddler Meal Demand
Government Subsidies and Company Incentives Aim to Stabilise Demand as Population Declines
Chart 24 Forecast Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 25 Forecast Value Sales by Category 2026-2031
Maeil Dairies Co Ltd Leverages Premiumisation to Reinforce Brand Leadership
Pooky Looky and Sangha Farm Respond to Checksumer Parents’ Demands
Chart 26 Company Shares 2026
Chart 27 Brand Shares 2026
Direct-To-Consumer Platforms Accelerate Shift to Online-First Purchasing
Baby Bonjuk Leverages Made-To-Order Meals to Win Premium Parents
Chart 28 Retail Channels 2021-2026
Format Engineering and Functional Ingredient Encapsulation Redefine Product Development
Ildong Foodis and Cj Cheiljedang Reimagine Unctional Engineering and Format Design
Functional Formulation Capability and Format Diversification Drive Growth
Chart 29 Economic Context for Baby Food
Chart 30 Real Gdp Growth 2021-2031
Chart 31 Inflation 2021-2031
Chart 32 Consumer Context for Baby Food
Chart 33 Population 2021-2031
Chart 34 Population by Generation 2026
Chart 35 Consumer Expenditure 2021-2031
Butter and Spreads in South Korea
Key Data Insights
Butter and Spreads Summary
Chart 36 Key Industry Trends for Butter and Spreads
Home Baking and Western Eating Habits Fuel Demand for Premium Fats
Chart 37 Samyang Anchor Butter Packs
Samyang’S Smaller Butter Packs Unlock New Opportunities for Home Bakers
Ottogi’S Reformulation of Margarine Challenges Old Perceptions with Low-Fat Innovation
Chart 38 Ottogi Low-Fat Margarine
Chart 39 Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 40 Value Sales by Category 2026
Chefs and Premium Retailers Drive New Butter Formats and Flavour Innovation
Artisanal Butter and Health-Driven Reformulation Reshape Consumer Choices
Chart 41 Forecast Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 42 Forecast Value Sales by Category 2026-2031
Gourmet F&B Korea Expands Share as Seoul Dairy Cooperative Faces Challenges
Imported Butter Brands Find Sweet Spot Online
Chart 43 Company Shares 2026
Chart 44 Brand Shares 2026
Retail E-Commerce Unlocks Premium Butter Access as Hypermarkets and Supermarkets Maintain Scale
Chart 45 Retail Channels 2021-2026
Intermediate Formats Spur Innovation across South Korea Dairy
Samyang and Ottogi Illustrate How Format Engineering and Formulation Technology Are Being Reimagined
Portfolio Breadth Drives Premium Share Gains
Chart 46 Economic Context for Butter and Spreads
Chart 47 Real Gdp Growth 2021-2031
Chart 48 Inflation 2021-2031
Chart 49 Consumer Context for Butter and Spreads
Chart 50 Population 2021-2031
Chart 51 Population by Generation 2026
Chart 52 Consumer Expenditure 2021-2031
Cheese in South Korea
Key Data Insights
Cheese Summary
Chart 53 Key Industry Trends for Cheese
Cheese Resilience Underpinned by Everyday Nutrition Positioning and Format Diversification
Spreadable Cheese Brands Boost Adoption through Chef Partnerships
Chart 54 Spreadable Cheese Brands Invest in Usage Education
Protein-Enriched Launches Reposition Cheese as Daily Nutrition
Chart 55 Sangha Cheese Expands High-Protein Cheese Portfolio
Chart 56 Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 57 Value Sales by Category 2026
Premiumisation and Culinary Diversification Sustain Cheese Value Growth
Processed Cheese Brands Retain Value Leadership Amid Shifting Demand
Chart 58 Analyst Insight for Cheese
Retailers and Suppliers Adapt Portfolios to Meet Evolving Tastes
Chart 59 Forecast Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 60 Forecast Value Sales by Category 2026-2031
Top Player Capitalises on Convenience and Flavour Trends to Reinforce Lead
Flavour Innovation Drives Competitive Edge in South Korea
Chart 61 Company Shares 2026
Chart 62 Brand Shares 2026
Warehouse Clubs Reshape Cheese Retail as Hypermarkets’ Lead Narrows
Online Grocers Drive Premium Cheese Uptake through Broader Assortment and Private Label
Chart 63 Retail Channels 2021-2026
Format Engineering and Functional Ingredient Integration Redefine the Product Development Brief
Sangha Cheese and Dongwon F&B Illustrate How Functional Formulation and Packaging Design Are Being Reimagined
Format Diversification and Functional Positioning Concentrate Commercial Returns among Manufacturers with Multi-Architecture Portfolios
Chart 64 Economic Context for Cheese
Chart 65 Real Gdp Growth 2021-2031
Chart 66 Inflation 2021-2031
Chart 67 Consumer Context for Cheese
Chart 68 Population 2021-2031
Chart 69 Population by Generation 2026
Chart 70 Consumer Expenditure 2021-2031
Drinking Milk Products in South Korea
Key Data Insights
Drinking Milk Products Summary
Chart 71 Key Industry Trends for Drinking Milk Products
Brands Drive Innovation to Offset Falling Milk Demand
Innovation Focuses on Wellness and Premiumisation through Flavour Development
Chart 72 Konkuk Milk Lactose-Free Milk
Lactose-Free Launches Broaden Appeal and Spark Cross-Category Innovation
Chart 73 Maeil Dairy Ube-Inspired Milk
Chart 74 Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 75 Value Sales by Category 2026
Manufacturers Target New Households as Traditional Demand Wanes
Lactose-Free and Premium Milk Drive Value While Shelf-Stable Imports Intensify Competition
Adult-Focused Innovation and Functional Upgrades Underpin Future Relevance
Chart 76 Forecast Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 77 Forecast Value Sales by Category 2026-2031
Seoul Dairy Cooperative Sustains Lead as Premiumisation and Trust Drive Stability
Chart 78 Company Shares 2026
Chart 79 Brand Shares 2026
Convenience Stores Capture Impulse Sales as Shopping Habits Shift
E-Commerce Gains Momentum with Cold-Chain and Dawn-Delivery Expansion
Chart 80 Retail Channels 2021-2026
From Lactose Reduction to Protein-Variant Precision Formulation
Seoul Milk and Uht Shelf-Stable Format Engineering Illustrate Changes in Supply Chain Technology and Thermal Processing
Portfolio and Functional Differentiation Drive Commercial Gains
Chart 81 Economic Context for Drinking Milk Products
Chart 82 Real Gdp Growth 2021-2031
Chart 83 Inflation 2021-2031
Chart 84 Consumer Context for Drinking Milk Products
Chart 85 Population 2021-2031
Chart 86 Population by Generation 2026
Chart 87 Consumer Expenditure 2021-2031
Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products in South Korea
Key Data Insights
Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products Summary
Chart 88 Key Industry Trends for Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products
Yoghurt Innovation Driven by Changing Consumer Preferences
Plain Yoghurt Gains Ground as Spoonable Products Expand Appeal
Chart 89 Yopro Protein Yoghurt
Everyday Wellness and Functional Indulgence Reshape Yoghurt Positioning
Chart 90 Seoul Milk Frozen Drinking Yoghurt
Chart 91 Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 92 Value Sales by Category 2026
Yoghurt Role Expands to Meet Texture and Snacking Demands
Adult-Focused Yoghurt Launches Reshape Growth and Usage Occasions
Chart 93 Forecast Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 94 Forecast Value Sales by Category 2026-2031
Maeil Dairies Co Ltd Captures Health Trend as Hy Co Ltd Refreshes Portfolio
Chart 95 Company Shares 2026
Chart 96 Brand Shares 2026
Coupang Captures Online Shift as Homeplus Crisis Accelerates Change
Convenience Stores Drive Trial as Innovation Hub for Yoghurt Launches
Chart 97 Retail Channels 2021-2026
Regional Ingredients and Clean-Label Formulations Redefine the Product Development
Metchnikoff and Maeil Bio Illustrate Demonstrate Regional Sourcing and Clean-Label Engineering
Portfolio Breadth and Format Diversification Drive Growth
Chart 98 Economic Context for Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products
Chart 99 Real Gdp Growth 2021-2031
Chart 100 Inflation 2021-2031
Chart 101 Consumer Context for Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products
Chart 102 Population 2021-2031
Chart 103 Population by Generation 2026
Chart 104 Consumer Expenditure 2021-2031
Other Dairy in South Korea
Key Data Insights
Other Dairy Summary
Growth Driven by Demand for Cream-Based Products
Toraku Royal Custard Pudding Fuels Travel-Inspired Retail Differentiation
Chart 105 Toraku Imported Japanese Puddings
Paik’S Coffee Redefines Indulgence with Texture-Led Cream Beverages
Chart 106 Fresh Cream-Topped Beverages
Chart 107 Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 108 Value Sales by Category 2026
Brands Drive Cream Innovation to Capture Indulgence Demand
Manufacturers Adapt with Healthier and Reformulated Cream-Based Products
Chart 109 Forecast Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 110 Forecast Value Sales by Category 2026-2031
Seoul Dairy Cooperative Leverages Broad Portfolio to Retain Lead
Chart 111 Company Shares 2026
Chart 112 Brand Shares 2026
Hypermarkets Lose Ground as E-Commerce and Convenience Stores Attract New Shoppers
Chart 113 Retail Channels 2021-2026
Chart 114 Economic Context for Other Dairy
Chart 115 Real Gdp Growth 2021-2031
Chart 116 Inflation 2021-2031
Chart 117 Consumer Context for Other Dairy
Chart 118 Population 2021-2031
Chart 119 Population by Generation 2026
Chart 120 Consumer Expenditure 2021-2031
Plant-Based Dairy in South Korea
Key Data Insights
Plant-Based Dairy Summary
Chart 121 Key Industry Trends for Plant-Based Dairy
Plant-Based Milk Increasingly Viewed as a Daily Wellness Staple
Chart 122 Oatmond Black Bean Protein Milk
Oatmond and Maeil Drive Plant-Based Milk Innovation and Appeal
Maeil’S Routine Challenge Builds Daily Habits and Drives Engagement
Chart 123 Daily Wellness Habit Challenge by Maeil Soy Milk
Chart 124 Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 125 Value Sales by Category 2026
Innovation Drives Value Growth as Brands Target Nutritional Concerns
Almond and Oat Drinks Gain Further Traction as Consumer Priorities Shift to Nutrition and Taste
Rising Brand Investment in Product Experience Intensifies Competition beyond Functional Claims
Chart 126 Forecast Value Sales 2021-2031
Chart 127 Forecast Value Sales by Category 2026-2031
Maeil Dairies Co Ltd Narrows Gap as Dr Chung’S Food Co Ltd Adapts to Shifting Demand
Chart 128 Company Shares 2026
Chart 129 Brand Shares 2026
Retail E-Commerce Attracts Bulk Buyers with Multipack Promotions
Convenience Stores Gain Share as Younger Shoppers Embrace Accessibility
Chart 130 Retail Channels 2021-2026
Blending Technology and Sensory Profile Engineering Redefine Product Development
Oatmond and Vegemil Reimagine Blending Technology and Format Architecture
Blending Technology and Format Diversification Have Significant Business Impact
Chart 131 Economic Context for Plant-Based Dairy
Chart 132 Real Gdp Growth 2021-2031
Chart 133 Inflation 2021-2031
Chart 134 Consumer Context for Plant-Based Dairy
Chart 135 Population 2021-2031
Chart 136 Population by Generation 2026
Chart 137 Consumer Expenditure 2021-2031
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Dairy Products and Alternatives
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- Dried Baby Food
- Prepared Baby Food
- Other Baby Food
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- Liquid Standard Milk Formula
- Powder Standard Milk Formula
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- Liquid Follow-on Milk Formula
- Powder Follow-on Milk Formula
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- Liquid Growing-Up Milk Formula
- Powder Growing-Up Milk Formula
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- Liquid Special Baby Milk Formula
- Powder Special Baby Milk Formula
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- Butter
- Cooking Fats
- Margarine and Spreads
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- Spreadable Cheese
- Processed Cheese excl Spreadable
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- Packaged Hard Cheese
- Unpackaged Hard Cheese
- Soft Cheese
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- Dairy Only Flavoured Milk Drinks
- Flavoured Milk Drinks with Fruit Juice
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- Fat-free Fresh Milk
- Semi Skimmed Fresh Milk
- Full Fat Fresh Milk
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- Fat-free Shelf Stable Milk
- Semi Skimmed Shelf Stable Milk
- Full Fat Shelf Stable Milk
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- Goat Milk
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- Powder Milk
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- Sour Milk Products
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- Drinking Yoghurt
- Flavoured Yoghurt
- Plain Yoghurt
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- Chilled Dairy Desserts
- Shelf Stable Dairy Desserts
- Chilled Snacks
- Coffee Whiteners
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- Flavoured Condensed Milk
- Plain Condensed Milk
- Evaporated Milk
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- Cream
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- Flavoured Fromage Frais and Quark
- Plain Fromage Frais and Quark
- Savoury Fromage Frais and Quark
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- Soy Drinks
- Other Plant-based Milk
- Plant-based Yoghurt
- Plant-based Cheese
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This report originates from Passport, our Dairy Products and Alternatives research and analysis database.
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