South Korea PET Food Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2026 - 2031)

South Korea Pet Food Market Trends and Insights

Growing Pet Ownership and Pet Humanization

Single-person households exceeded 30% and are driving a ‘fur-baby’ culture in which pets enjoy birthday parties, premium grooming, and even insurance policies. A significant share of the population keeps pets and allocates a notable portion of monthly household spending to their care^{[1]Source: KB Financial Group, “Korean Pet Report 2023,” kbfg.com}. Rising cat ownership is particularly noticeable among apartment dwellers who prefer lower-maintenance companions. Government statistics anticipate a strong expansion in pet food sales over the coming years. Together, these factors cement consistent volume growth for the South Korea pet food market. Consumers are increasingly seeking brands that adhere to human-grade ingredient standards, reinforcing the trend of premiumization. As household sizes continue to shrink, per-pet spending is estimated to increase, thereby deepening the market’s revenue pool. Consequently, manufacturers that embed emotional and lifestyle narratives into product marketing are winning market share.

Premium and Functional Nutrition Demand Surge

Functional formats that address joint health, digestive wellness, and senior vitality sold at premiums of more than 30% over standard kibble, yet velocity remained robust. Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s ActivBiome+ range, distributed mainly through veterinary clinics, has become a staple for digestive and immune support. Harim Pet Food’s The Real line, which excludes synthetic preservatives and uses human-grade inputs, achieved strong sales performance and a 6.0% operating margin. Owners accept higher prices, fearing that switching brands may upset pets’ digestion, which reduces price sensitivity and supports margin expansion. South Korea pet food market stakeholders are therefore channeling R&D funds toward science-backed claims that justify sustained premiums. This demand dynamic also incentivizes new ingredient innovations, including probiotics and post-biotics, that can be patented to secure differentiation. Premiumization ultimately widens the revenue gap between functional SKUs and commoditized kibble

Rapid E-Commerce and Last-Mile Delivery Expansion

Online channels are expanding at a faster rate than brick-and-mortar, supported by same-day delivery networks that now cover a significant share of Seoul. Subscription models, pioneered by Dongwon F&B’s Nutri Plan, lock in predictable recurring revenue. Cargill’s large Pyeongtaek facility supports rapid fulfillment for both retail and digital orders, ensuring products remain in stock during peak promotions. Influencer marketing on Naver and Kakao simplifies product discovery and accelerates category penetration. Logistics providers are extending same-day reach to secondary cities, widening nationwide access to imported and premium brands. Data analytics from online transactions allow precise targeting, helping startups scale quickly with minimal marketing spend. Taken together, e-commerce infrastructure is a powerful catalyst for South Korea’s pet food market growth.

Commercialization of Insect-Protein Supply Chain

Pilot-scale black-soldier-fly farms in Gyeongsangbuk-do achieved sufficient output to appear in hypoallergenic kibble. Insect meal offers a 90% smaller carbon footprint than conventional meat proteins, aligning with rising environmental consciousness. Cargill entered a joint venture to secure proprietary supply, signaling serious industrial commitment. Regulatory approval of insect ingredients resolved prior uncertainty and enabled commercialization. European brands already include insect meal at up to 15% inclusion rates^{[2]Source: International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed, "Edible Insects on the European Market: Market Factsheet", ipiff.org}, offering a roadmap that South Korean firms are increasingly following. Early adopters enjoy first-mover advantage in exports to Japan and China, markets that monitor Korean innovations closely. Sourcing insect protein domestically also reduces foreign-exchange risk, an added benefit amid currency volatility.

High Import Dependence and Foreign-Exchange-Linked Cost Volatility

Functional ingredients are largely dollar-denominated, leaving manufacturers exposed when the won weakens. The currency experienced a notable decline against the dollar, forcing difficult choices between absorbing costs and raising retail prices during a period of elevated inflation. Some manufacturers partially offset pressure through domestic poultry integration, but brands reliant on imported salmon oil, glucosamine, and probiotics felt the squeeze. Pet-specific inflation ran at roughly double the national consumer index, yet demand proved sticky because owners fear negative health outcomes if they down-trade. Persistent currency swings delay new product launches that rely on specialty imports and favor domestically sourcing firms, narrowing supplier options and curbing the pace of innovation across the South Korea pet food market.

Complex Labeling Compliance Regime

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety updated regulations, mandating allergen panels, origin statements, and batch traceability codes. Small and medium enterprises now face additional legal review and design work before products can reach store shelves. Penalties for non-compliance represent a material burden for new entrants. While consumers appreciate stronger labeling following contamination incidents, the added rigor raises barriers to entry and discourages smaller importers. Domestic players with established regulatory teams navigate the system more efficiently, gaining a relative advantage. Over-disclosure has become prevalent as companies prioritize compliance, leading to packaging filled with information that may confuse consumers. In aggregate, compliance costs weigh on the South Korea pet food market, particularly for innovative, smaller brands. 

Segment Analysis

By Pet Type: Cats Narrow the Gap

Dogs commanded 55% of the South Korea pet food market size in 2025, followed by cats, while small mammals and birds shared the remaining portion of the market. The ranking reflects historical dog ownership and mature product portfolios that cater to different life stages. Cat food, however, is closing in quickly as millennials and Gen Z apartment dwellers appreciate low-maintenance felines. Other pets, including rabbits and hamsters, remain minor due to limited SKUs and low per-pet spending.

Cats are growing at a 9.9% CAGR through 2031, the fastest among all pet types, while dogs and other pets are projected at lower rates. The parliamentary dog-meat ban supports steady dog gains, yet saturation in urban ownership tempers upside. Small-pet categories exhibit stable but modest growth, reflecting limited marketing attention and shelf space. These differing trajectories illustrate why manufacturers diversify across species while prioritizing feline innovations to capture incremental volume and value.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Product Type: Treats Outpace Core Nutrition

Dry foods led with 52.5% of South Korea's pet food market share in 2025, followed by treats, wet foods, veterinary diets, and various other specialty products. Dry kibble remains dominant due to shelf stability and cost efficiency, but treats and snacks exhibit outsized momentum driven by functional claims. Wet foods lag after the toxicity shock, while prescription diets hold a defensible share via clinic channels.

Treats and snacks are expanding at a 12.1% CAGR, ahead of veterinary diets, dry foods, wet foods, and other formats. Functional treat innovation, such as Harim’s lactose-free frozen dog ice cream, accelerates category velocity. Prescription diets benefit from rising chronic conditions in aging pets. In contrast, wet food’s recovery depends on sustained transparency efforts, and commoditized dry kibble faces mounting price competition, narrowing margins.

By Distribution Channel: Online Gains Accelerate

Hypermarkets and supermarkets took 38% of 2025 sales, followed by specialty stores, online channels, and other outlets. Physical big-box stores appeal to shoppers who value in-person label inspection and instant gratification. Specialty retailers and vet clinics maintain authority in therapeutic and premium segments.

Online channels are posting the fastest 17.3% CAGR, followed by specialty stores, hypermarkets, and other outlets. Same-day delivery and data-driven personalization underpin e-commerce momentum. Specialty stores sustain relevance through consultative selling, yet some traffic migrates online. Hypermarkets retain bulk-purchase shoppers but must renovate pet aisles to remain competitive. Overall, channel diversification continues to reshape revenue streams across the South Korea pet food market size landscape.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Sales are heavily concentrated in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Busan, collectively accounting for the majority of national revenue. Higher disposable income, dense vet networks, and ample specialty retailers drive this clustering. Single-person households flourish in these areas, propelling premium cat and small-dog ownership. Rural provinces rely on hypermarkets and agricultural cooperatives, hampering access to imported or niche products and keeping the value tier prominent.

E-commerce coverage provides extensive same-day reach in Seoul but is significantly lower in Daegu and Gwangju in 2025. Logistics investments aim to narrow this gap by 2028, yet economics favor dense urban areas first. Cultural acceptance of the 2025 dog-meat ban is strongest in cities, where dog adoptions spike, while rural regions transition at a slower pace. The geographic split guides marketing spend, with brands tailoring urban campaigns toward premium SKUs and rural promotions toward value formats.

Ingredient sourcing clusters around Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, where Harim and CJ CheilJedang operate vertically integrated plants. Insect-protein farms in Gyeongsangbuk-do benefit from provincial subsidies, positioning the region as a sustainability hub. Meanwhile, AI-driven subscription services gain traction in Seoul, leveraging 95% smartphone penetration, before rolling out to secondary markets. Overall, regional disparities in income, logistics, and culture create a mosaic of opportunities and challenges across the South Korea pet food market.