Market Overview
| Study Period | 2020 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.71 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 2.58 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 8.60% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
South Korea Pet Food Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The South Korea pet food market size stands at USD 1.71 billion in 2025 and is projected to climb to USD 2.58 billion by 2030, reflecting an 8.6% CAGR over the forecast period. Several forces combine to create this growth pace. A landmark 2024 dog-meat ban has accelerated dog adoptions, while rapid urbanization is steering younger households toward cats and other low-maintenance companions. Digital commerce already accounts for two-thirds of sales, giving brands rich data for targeted product launches. Premium and functional recipes continue to command higher margins, and insect protein is emerging as a sustainable differentiator. Domestic manufacturers defend shelf space through deep cultural insight and agile supply chains, even as multinationals expand local production and direct-to-consumer channels. Headline risks revolve around foreign exchange volatility on imported inputs, stricter labeling rules, and the lingering trust deficit after a 2024 cat-food toxicity crisis.
Key Report Takeaways
- By pet type, dogs led with 65% of South Korea's pet food market share in 2024; cats are set to grow at an 11.1% CAGR through 2030.
- By product type, dry food accounted for 42.2% of the South Korean pet food market size in 2024, while veterinary diets are forecast to expand at a 12.4% CAGR by 2030.
- By distribution channel, online platforms captured 67% revenue share in 2024 and are advancing at a 12.2% CAGR to 2030.
South Korea Pet Food Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growing pet ownership and pet humanization | +2.1% | National, with concentration in Seoul, Busan, and Incheon metropolitan areas | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Premium and functional nutrition demand surge | +1.8% | National, with higher penetration in affluent urban districts | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Rapid e-commerce and last-mile delivery expansion | +1.5% | National, with rural areas experiencing the fastest adoption rates | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Government ban on dog meat spurring dog adoptions | +1.3% | National, with the strongest impact in traditional dog meat consumption regions | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Commercialization of the insect-protein supply chain | +0.9% | National, with an initial focus on premium urban markets | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| AI-driven personalized diet platforms adoption | +0.7% | National, with early adoption in tech-savvy metropolitan areas | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Growing pet ownership and pet humanization
One in four Korean households now owns a companion animal, a ratio that rose sharply after pandemic-era lifestyle changes and the 2024 dog-meat ban. Pet parents seek human-grade ingredients, fueling premium recipes that mirror mainstream food trends. Retail data show pet stroller sales surpass baby-pram sales in major cities, symbolizing pets’ elevated family status[1]Source: The Times, “Pet Stroller Sales Top Baby Pushchairs in Korea,” thetimes.co.uk. The willingness to spend more on nutrition, healthcare, and leisure keeps average annual outlays on dogs almost double that for cats, anchoring revenue growth for the South Korea pet food market.
Premium and functional nutrition demand surge
Functional diets that target joint health, digestion, or cognition now outpace conventional SKUs. Harim Group recorded a 15% sales jump in 2024 after launching condition-specific formulations fortified with probiotics and omega-3s[2]Source: KrASIA, “Harim Pet Food Riding Wave of Functional Diet Demand,” kr-asia.com. Korean shoppers also welcome herbal actives such as ginseng and green tea catechins, leveraging familiarity with traditional medicine. Margins in this tier run 20–30% above mass-market lines, motivating both multinationals and domestic challengers to invest in clinical substantiation and veterinary endorsements.
Rapid e-commerce and last-mile delivery expansion
With 67% of turnover flowing through digital baskets in 2024, the South Korea pet food market hosts the world’s deepest online penetration. Same-day delivery and subscription bundles eliminate the need to lug heavy bags home, encouraging larger-pack orders and higher purchase frequency. Smaller brands thrive here because search ranking and user reviews level the playing field against shelf-space budgets. Platform operators, in turn, monetize data for personalized promotions that lift basket sizes.
Government ban on dog-meat spurring dog adoptions
The 2024 law prohibits dog slaughter and trade from 2027, leaving roughly 570,000 animals needing new homes. Adoption programs, shelter subsidies, and public education are expanding the canine population and raising baseline demand for complete nutrition. First-time owners often rely on starter kits and online guidance, creating brand-loyal households for years to come.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| High import dependence and FX-linked cost volatility | -1.4% | National, with a higher impact on premium imported brands | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Complex labeling compliance regime | -0.8% | National, with a disproportionate impact on smaller companies | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Trust crisis after 2024 cat-food toxicity cases | -1.1% | National, with the strongest impact on domestic cat food brands | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Nutrient-deficiency risk in fresh diets | -0.6% | National, with a concentration in urban areas adopting raw feeding | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
High import dependence and FX-linked cost volatility
Roughly half the amino-acid, vitamin, and fat inputs originate overseas, with the United States as top source[3]Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, “South Korea Feed Ingredients Annual,” usda.gov. A weak KRW raises landed costs, narrowing margins on premium SKUs or forcing shelf-price hikes that can dampen volume. The standard 7% tariff on finished pet food magnifies the squeeze.
Trust crisis after 2024 cat-food toxicity cases
A contamination event that killed 100 cats destabilized category confidence and triggered stricter safety inspections. New microbial and mycotoxin tests add days to customs clearance and raise compliance budgets, especially for local producers rebuilding reputations. Shelf shifts toward imports underline the need for transparent sourcing and third-party certifications.
Segment Analysis
By Pet Type: Dogs dominate while cat ownership scales quickly
Dogs held a 65% share of the South Korean pet food market in 2024, buoyed by adoption surges post-ban and higher average spending on larger animals. The South Korean pet food market size tied to cats is forecast to grow at 11.1% CAGR by 2030 as apartment living favors self-sufficient pets. Veterinary bodies note a parallel uptick in small-mammal and fish ownership, but those categories remain niche and often rely on imported specialty diets.
The humanization wave affects both major species. Owners purchase life-stage diets, breed-specific kibble, and single-serve wet pouches that minimize waste. Dogs still command more grooming, treat, and supplement purchases, locking in the bulk of incremental revenue. Yet cat SKUs record faster turnover online because feline owners prefer variety packs and auto-ship bundles to avoid stock-outs.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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By Product Type: Veterinary diets outpace mass formulations
Dry kibble retained a 42.2% share in 2024 thanks to favorable price-per-calorie economics and storage ease. Still, veterinary diets are projected to grow 12.4% annually by 2030, making them the fastest-growing segment of the South Korean pet food market. Clinically validated recipes for renal, metabolic, or allergy support now appear on e-commerce sites with tele-vet prescriptions, bypassing brick-and-mortar clinic shelves.
Wet and semi-moist lines gain momentum among cat owners focused on hydration, and treats occupy the indulgence sweet spot. Functional chews laced with glucosamine or probiotics often post double-digit growth, demonstrating convergence between snack and supplement categories.
By Distribution Channel: E-commerce cements structural lead
Online stores generated 67% of sales in 2024 and will compound 12.2% yearly through 2030—an unprecedented ratio even among digitally advanced economies. Hypermarkets once dominated pantry loading but now serve mainly as convenience restocks or discovery venues. Specialty boutiques sustain relevance where staff provides breed-specific diet counseling and showcase imported holistic brands seldom listed on mass platforms.
Reverse-logistics efficiency, real-time inventory sync, and AI-driven recommendation engines keep shifting further volume online. That dynamic pushes incumbents to invest in DTC storefronts and warehouses near Seoul, Busan, and Daejeon to keep pace with same-day delivery norms.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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Geography Analysis
The South Korean pet food market is national in scope yet demonstrates regional purchase nuances. The Seoul–Incheon corridor alone accounts for roughly 40% of sales owing to the dense population, high disposable income, and early adoption of premium SKUs. Subscription uptake is highest here because courier networks guarantee under-one-hour delivery in select districts, reinforcing habit formation.
Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju rank next, propelled by rising single-person households delaying marriage and childbearing. Local influencers and veterinarians promote functional diets on social media, accelerating premium penetration outside the capital. Coastal humidity in Busan amplifies the demand for freshness-sealed wet cans, while inland Daegu skews toward larger-dog formulations suited to the semi-suburban housing stock.
Rural counties, once peripheral, now benefit from upgraded cold-chain routes and smartphone adoption among silver-aged consumers. Pet ownership among smallholder farmers is climbing as dogs transition from guardians to companions. The dog-meat ban resonates strongly here, with NGO-run shelters and adoption fairs supplying free starter bundles that feature domestic kibbles.
Competitive Landscape
Global majors and agile domestic firms share the South Korea pet food market. Mars and Nestlé deploy brands such as Royal Canin and Purina Pro Plan, banking on global R&D and marketing muscle. Yet Korean companies still captured 54.8% of dog food and 28.4% of cat food in 2024, illustrating entrenched hometown loyalty. CJ CheilJedang leverages fermentation expertise to integrate insect protein and red ginseng extracts, while Harim Group uses vertical feed capacity to secure raw-material economics.
Strategically, all players chase premiumization through vet-endorsed SKUs, grain-free claims, and clean-label packaging. Investments in AI-powered meal customization apps aim to lock in a data advantage. Limpid, for instance, raised KRW 1.5 billion in 2025 to scale prescription diets and clinical trials, hinting at a service pivot beyond feed bag sales.
Supply-chain localization is a rising theme: Royal Canin opened a USD 450 million Ohio factory to free Asian capacity for Korea-bound imports, while Nestlé dissolved its Lotte JV to run a pure-play Purina Korea business, accelerating innovation cycles and response times. Domestic producers counter through contract manufacturing for private-label e-tailers, cementing scale efficiencies and shelf pricing flexibility.
South Korea Pet Food Industry Leaders
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Mars, Incorporated
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Nestlé SA (Purina)
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LG Unicharm Co., Ltd.
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CJ CheilJedang (O’Nature)
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Harim Group (Jeil Feed)
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments
- May 2025: Royal Canin inaugurated a USD 450 million Ohio plant to support regional sourcing goals for Asian markets, including Korea.
- March 2025: Nestlé established an independent Purina PetCare subsidiary in Korea after exiting its Lotte partnership.
- January 2025: Nugape introduced the Cebican Cosmo range, offering high-protein recipes with fruit and vegetable inclusions for Asian customers.
- January 2025: Authorities investigated a contaminated local cat food line linked to 100 fatalities, tightening testing mandates.
Research Methodology Framework and Report Scope
Market Definitions and Key Coverage
Our study defines the South Korea pet food market as all commercially packaged feed and treats formulated for dogs, cats, and other companion animals, measured in retail value at point of sale. It embraces dry kibble, wet or canned meals, veterinary diets, and snack formats sold through online and offline channels.
Scope exclusion: livestock feed, pet supplements sold as pharmaceuticals, and unprocessed raw meat purchased directly from butchers are outside this scope.
Segmentation Overview
- By Pet Type
- Dogs
- Cats
- Other Pets
- By Product Type
- Dry Pet Foods
- Wet Pet Foods
- Veterinary Diets
- Treats and Snacks
- Other Product Types
- By Distribution Channel
- Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
- Specialty Stores
- Online Channels
- Others Distribution Channels
Detailed Research Methodology and Data Validation
Primary Research
Mordor analysts interviewed nutritionists, veterinary clinicians, online marketplace managers, and store buyers across Seoul, Busan, and four second-tier cities. These discussions helped us verify average selling prices, brand mix shifts, and emerging functional claims, which we then contrasted with survey responses from urban pet owners on purchase frequency and channel preference.
Desk Research
We begin with published data sets from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Korea Customs Service import-export records, Statistics Korea household expenditure tables, and trade association newsletters such as the Korea Pet Food Association. Those sources anchor pet population trends, spending per pet, and shipment volumes. Additional context is taken from peer-reviewed veterinary journals, investor filings, reputable business press, and paid databases like D&B Hoovers and Dow Jones Factiva that clarify company revenues and retail footprints. The sources mentioned illustrate the range consulted; many further documents supported fact-checking and gap filling.
Market-Sizing & Forecasting
A top-down model starts with national pet population and average calorie demand, which are then married to import receipts, retail scanner sales, and e-commerce order volumes to estimate 2024 consumption. Selective bottom-up checks, such as leading suppliers' revenue roll-ups and channel audits, fine-tune totals. Key variables include dog-to-cat ownership ratio, premium price index, import duty changes, online penetration, and veterinarian clinic visit rates because they directly sway spending. Forecasts use multivariate regression backed by expert consensus to project how these drivers evolve under baseline, optimistic, and cautious scenarios. Where data gaps appear, we interpolate using three-year moving averages that are later validated against primary feedback.
Data Validation & Update Cycle
Before sign-off, senior analysts run variance screens, compare output with external shipment dashboards, and reconfirm any swings with at least one primary contact. The model is refreshed annually and revisited mid-cycle if policy shocks or disease outbreaks materially affect pet numbers.
Why Mordor's South Korea Pet Food Baseline Commands Confidence
Published estimates often differ because firms choose dissimilar product scopes, pricing bases, and refresh cadences. Our disciplined selection of variables and yearly recalibration minimize those gaps for decision-makers.
Key gap drivers typically arise when other publishers bundle supplements, apply factory gate prices, or project growth from pre-pandemic trend lines without testing post-COVID channel shifts, whereas Mordor adjusts for import substitution and real retail prices.
Benchmark comparison
| Market Size | Anonymized source | Primary gap driver |
|---|---|---|
| USD 1.71 bn (2025) | Mordor Intelligence | - |
| USD 1.15 bn (2022) | Global Consultancy A | excludes e-commerce surge, uses factory-gate values |
| USD 1.51 bn (2023) | Trade Data Provider B | retail only, omits veterinary diets |
| USD 2.50 bn (2024) | Regional Consultancy C | adds supplements and grooming products |
Taken together, the comparison shows that when scope creep or outdated baselines are removed, Mordor's balanced, transparent model delivers a reliable reference grounded in verifiable Korean market fingerprints.
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Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current value of the South Korea pet food market?
The South Korea pet food market size is USD 1.71 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 2.58 billion by 2030.
Which pet type is growing fastest in South Korea?
Cat food is projected to post an 11.1% CAGR to 2030, outpacing every other animal segment.
How dominant is online retail in Korean pet food sales?
E-commerce already captures 67% of total category revenue and is still growing at 12.2% per year.
Why are veterinary diets gaining share?
Rising pet humanization and vet influence push owners toward disease-specific recipes, making veterinary diets the fastest-expanding product class at 12.4% CAGR.
What risks could slow market expansion?
Heavy reliance on imported inputs, foreign-exchange swings, stricter labeling rules, and consumer trust issues after a 2024 toxicity incident are the main constraints.
How will the dog-meat ban affect demand?
Rehoming of nearly 570,000 former meat dogs between now and 2027 is projected to lift baseline demand for dog food across all price tiers.
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