Koreans’ love for coffee shows no signs of cooling down. (Image: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s coffee imports reached a record high of nearly 2 trillion won ($1.38 billion USD) in 2024, reflecting an 11% increase from the previous year, according to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation.
The country imported 215,838 tons of coffee, including green beans, roasted beans, concentrates, and instant coffee, a 5% increase in volume compared to 2023.
However, the higher growth in import value was attributed to a global surge in coffee prices, driven by droughts and heavy rains in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s top coffee producers. By late 2024, Arabica coffee prices hit a 50-year high.
While 2024’s coffee import value fell short of the all-time high of $1.44 billion USD in 2022, it marked a significant jump from $850 million in 2020.
The rise in coffee consumption in South Korea is fueled by its integration into daily routines, according to industry experts. Coffee has become more than just a beverage, serving as a functional necessity in the country’s fast-paced work culture, where its benefits for relieving fatigue and boosting focus are highly valued.
The proliferation of cafés has further contributed to the trend. By the end of 2022, the number of coffee shops nationwide surpassed 100,000, with affordable coffee chains driving rapid growth. Additionally, convenience stores now offer a variety of coffee options, making it even more accessible.
According to Euromonitor, South Koreans consumed an average of 405 cups of coffee per person in 2023—2.7 times the global average of 152 cups. “Few countries drink as much coffee as South Korea,” a coffee industry insider noted. “It’s now common for people to have at least two cups of coffee a day.”
The data highlights South Korea’s growing appetite for coffee, with no signs of slowing down as the market continues to evolve and expand.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
