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South Korea’s ice cream market is projected to grow from USD 3.0 billion in 2025 to USD 3.3 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 1.94%. While the pace of expansion is modest, the sector continues to benefit from its positioning as an affordable indulgence, a characteristic that has become particularly relevant amid a subdued economic outlook. Even as consumers face tighter budgets, ice cream maintains resilience as a discretionary treat that delivers value for money without significant financial burden.
Health consciousness is reshaping product development, with innovation increasingly focused on “better-for-you” formulations. Zero-calorie, low-sugar, and reduced-fat offerings are gaining visibility, supported by consumer demand for guilt-free indulgence. Brands that successfully position themselves in this space have achieved rapid retail growth, underscoring the importance of health-driven narratives. At the same time, functionality is becoming a differentiator, with products incorporating natural ingredients, added protein, or unique nutritional benefits, broadening the category’s relevance to wellness-minded consumers.
Younger demographics, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are driving a shift toward experiential consumption. These consumers value personalization, novelty, and social interaction, which has bolstered the appeal of foodservice formats such as frozen yogurt shops and artisanal outlets that emphasize customizable offerings and communal environments. The focus on experience extends to flavor innovation, where brands are experimenting with unconventional pairings and culturally resonant tastes to sustain consumer interest.
The convergence of affordability, health-driven reformulation, and experiential appeal is defining the trajectory of South Korea’s ice cream sector. While overall growth remains steady rather than dramatic, the underlying transformation in consumer expectations ensures that innovation and differentiation will remain central to market competitiveness.
The report delivers a comprehensive dataset on the South Korea ice cream market, detailing annual market size and growth rates over the past six years, alongside projections through 2030. It offers an in-depth examination of market segments and subcategories, with a particular focus on evolving trends by product type, category and distribution channel.
This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the South Korea ice cream market size (in Tons/KRW/USD) from 2020 to 2030. The core dataset includes historical figures and forward-looking projections for both the overall market and its key segments, supplemented by compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) for historical and forecast periods. Segmentation covers product type, category and distribution channel. By comparing historical and projected growth rates, the analysis identifies high-potential segments, enabling data-driven strategic decision-making.
Also included in the report is an analysis of the market’s underlying trends and drivers. Informed by executive-level interviews and verified macro-level data, this section explores the fundamental shifts influencing demand and competition. It outlines how changes in innovation cycles, and consumer expectations have affected recent developments, while pointing to segments with the greatest forward momentum and associated risks.
A competitive benchmarking section tracks market share movements and brand positioning among key players from 2020-2024. The report maps consolidation trends, share shifts, and differentiation strategies, equipping stakeholders with actionable insights for portfolio optimization and long-term planning.
The South Korea ice cream market is categorized into the following segments:
Product type – e.g., frozen yogurt, impulse ice cream, plant-based ice cream, take-home ice cream
Category – e.g., dairy ice cream, water ice cream
Distribution channel – e.g., convenience stores, e-commerce, food specialty stores, foodservice channels, hypermarkets, small grocery stores, supermarkets, warehouse clubs, others
In addition to core market data, the report incorporates key socio-economic indicators that provide essential context for interpreting market dynamics. These include population trends, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), per capita consumption (expressed in USD), and consumer spending as a percentage of GDP. Together, these metrics offer a macroeconomic backdrop that enhances the strategic relevance of the market size figures, helping stakeholders better assess demand potential and long-term growth opportunities.
This report presents market share figures for top companies operating in the ice cream sector in South Korea, highlighting brand reach and competitive footprint. Notable participants include:
Binggrae Co., Ltd.
General Mills, Inc.
Lara Sweet Co., Ltd.
Lotte Corporation
Unilever PLC
This section helps stakeholders evaluate market concentration, identify partnership opportunities, and track shifts in leadership.
Access accurate and up-to-date market size data for the South Korea ice cream sector.
Obtain granular insights across key segments, including product type, category and distribution channel.
Understand the underlying market dynamics through expert-driven analysis of growth drivers, barriers, and structural shifts.
Identify attractive investment areas by tracking fast-growing categories and emerging consumption patterns.
Evaluate the competitive landscape to support timing, positioning, and strategic decision-making.
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Professionally structured PDF report
Full EXCEL databook with year-by-year figures and multi-dimensional segmentation from 2020 to 2030
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key Findings
Market Segmentation
Market Overview
South Korea Ice Cream Market – Product Type Analysis
South Korea Ice Cream Market – Category Analysis
South Korea Ice Cream Market – Distribution Channel Analysis
Company Shares Analysis
Binggrae Co., Ltd.
General Mills, Inc.
Lara Sweet Co., Ltd.
Lotte Corporation
Unilever PLC
Macroeconomic Data and Forecast
Research Methodology
Disclaimer
FIGURES AND TABLES
Table South Korea Ice Cream Market 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market, Net Growth, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market, Growth Rates, 2020-2030
Table South Korea Ice Cream Market by Product Type, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market by Product Type, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market by Product Type, 2020-2030
Table South Korea Ice Cream Market by Category, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market by Category, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market by Category, 2020-2030
Table South Korea Ice Cream Market by Distribution Channel, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market by Distribution Channel, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market by Distribution Channel, 2020-2030
Table South Korea Ice Cream Market Share (%), by Companies, 2020-2024
Chart South Korea Ice Cream Market, by Companies, 2024
Table South Korea Ice Cream Market Share (%), by Brands, 2020-2024
Chart South Korea Ice Cream 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 Ice Cream Market: Spend as a Proportion of GDP (%)
Table South Korea Ice Cream Market: Consumption per Capita (Population)
| Product Type | Market Research |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia Pacific |
| Published Date | 2025 |
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