South Korea Bottled Water Market 2025

Forecasts highlight a favorable growth outlook for the South Korea bottled water market, with a projected increase of USD 1.6 billion and a CAGR close to 8.9% through 2030. The South Korean bottled water market is evolving under the dual influence of heightened health consciousness and a deepening preference for premium hydration experiences. Despite having one of Asia’s most developed water infrastructures, consumer reliance on bottled water continues to grow, particularly among urban households and working professionals.

Health and wellness trends have significantly reshaped beverage consumption patterns in South Korea. Bottled water, perceived as a clean and calorie-free alternative to sugary drinks, has benefited from this paradigm shift. Consumers are increasingly attentive to water quality, mineral content, and pH balance. Many seek hydration options with added health functions, including those aligned with specific dietary trends such as alkaline water or low-sodium mineral formulations. Regulatory oversight by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety ensures rigorous quality standards, reinforcing consumer confidence in packaged water over tap options, especially in large urban centers like Seoul and Busan.

Another driver is the demand for premium and source-specific products, reflecting the Korean market’s nuanced appreciation for branding and provenance. Consumers are drawn to water sourced from mountain springs or volcanic aquifers, especially those from Jeju Island or Gangwon Province, perceived to have unique mineral compositions. While international brands remain visible, domestic producers with verifiable source credentials have captured significant market share through strategic retail positioning and targeted advertising. The expansion of convenience stores and online retail has further accelerated bottled water consumption by improving accessibility and reinforcing habit-based purchases.

The report aims to deliver comprehensive data on the South Korea bottled water market, covering annual market size and growth rates over the past six years, along with projections through 2030. It provides an in-depth analysis of market categories and subcategories, with a particular focus on evolving trends by product type, packaging type and distribution channel.

Market Segmentation

The South Korea bottled water market is classified into the following segments:
Product type: flavored water, functional water, sparkling water (sparkling natural mineral water, sparkling spring water), still water (still natural mineral water, still purified water, still spring water)
Packaging type: flexible packaging, glass, metal, rigid plastic
Distribution channel: convenience stores, discounters, general merchandise stores, health and beauty stores, bars and HoReCa, hypermarkets, e-commerce, small grocery stores, supermarkets, warehouse clubs, others

The South Korea market for bottled water is divided based on product type, packaging type and distribution channel. By product type, the market is categorized into flavored water, functional water, sparkling water (sparkling natural mineral water, sparkling spring water), and still water (still natural mineral water, still purified water, still spring water). The packaging type segmentation covers flexible packaging, glass, metal, and rigid plastic. Distribution channel segmentation comprises convenience stores, discounters, general merchandise stores, health and beauty stores, bars and HoReCa, hypermarkets, e-commerce, small grocery stores, supermarkets, warehouse clubs, and others.

Competitive Landscape

Key players dominating the bottled water market include Danone S.A., Dongwon Group, HITEJINRO CO. LTD., Ilhwa Co. Ltd., Jeju Province Development Corporation, Lotte Corporation, Nongshim Co. Ltd., Pulmuone Co. Ltd., Sparkle Co. Ltd., The Coca-Cola Company and Woongjin Foods Co. Ltd.

This analysis offers a comprehensive overview of the main players in the bottled water market, evaluating their performance trends from 2020 to 2024. Key findings illustrate shifts in market share, identifying both dominant firms and rising competitors.

Why Buy This Report?

Obtain precise statistical data and forecasts for the South Korea bottled water market.
Gain in-depth analysis and forecasts for the key segments of the South Korea bottled water market: product type, packaging type and distribution channel.
Develop region-specific strategies and set strategic priorities based on localized data analysis.
Gain deep insights into the dynamics of the South Korea bottled water market.
Identify high-potential investment opportunities by targeting growth sectors and emerging trends.
Anticipate the future trajectory of the South Korea bottled water market with informed projections.
Assess the competitive landscape to determine the ideal timing for capitalizing on market opportunities.
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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key Findings
Market Segmentation
Market Overview
South Korea Bottled Water Market – Product Type Analysis
South Korea Bottled Water Market – Packaging Type Analysis
South Korea Bottled Water Market – Distribution Channel Analysis
Company Shares Analysis
Danone S.A.
Dongwon Group
HITEJINRO CO., LTD.
Ilhwa Co., Ltd.
Jeju Province Development Corporation
Lotte Corporation
Nongshim Co., Ltd.
Pulmuone Co., Ltd.
Sparkle Co., Ltd.
…
Macroeconomic Data and Forecast
Research Methodology
Disclaimer

FIGURES AND TABLES
Table South Korea Bottled Water Market 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market, Net Growth, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market, Growth Rates, 2020-2030
Table South Korea Bottled Water Market by Product Type, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market by Product Type, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market by Product Type, 2020-2030
Table South Korea Bottled Water Market by Packaging Type, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market by Packaging Type, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market by Packaging Type, 2020-2030
Table South Korea Bottled Water Market by Distribution Channel, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market by Distribution Channel, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market by Distribution Channel, 2020-2030
Table South Korea Bottled Water Market Share (%), by Companies, 2020-2024
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market, by Companies, 2024
Table South Korea Bottled Water Market Share (%), by Brands, 2020-2024
Chart South Korea Bottled Water Market, by Brands, 2024
Table South Korea – Population (Millions) and Forecast
Table South Korea – Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Forecast
Table South Korea – Gross Domestic Product and Forecast
Table South Korea Bottled Water Market: Spend as a Proportion of GDP (%)
Table South Korea Bottled Water Market: Consumption per Capita (Population)

Companies Mentioned

Danone S.A.
Dongwon Group
HITEJINRO CO., LTD.
Ilhwa Co., Ltd.
Jeju Province Development Corporation
Lotte Corporation
Nongshim Co., Ltd.
Pulmuone Co., Ltd.
Sparkle Co., Ltd.
The Coca-Cola Company
Woongjin Foods Co., Ltd.