Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in South Korea
South Korea: Food imports (% of merchandise imports) was 6.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in South Korea, 1962–2025
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2025, food imports in South Korea stood at 6.5%.
That represents a change of up 2.9% on the previous year and up 8.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in South Korea peaked at 22.5% in 1963 and was at its lowest, 4.2%, in 2006.
South Korea ranks 185th of 196 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 13.9% | — |
| 1963 | 22.5% | +62.0% |
| 1964 | 18.2% | -19.4% |
| 1965 | 15.1% | -17.0% |
| 1966 | 13.5% | -10.2% |
| 1967 | 10.7% | -21.2% |
| 1968 | 12.2% | +14.3% |
| 1969 | 17.6% | +44.3% |
| 1970 | 17.2% | -2.0% |
| 1971 | 18.2% | +5.9% |
| 1972 | 15.6% | -14.6% |
| 1973 | 15.0% | -3.6% |
| 1974 | 13.2% | -11.9% |
| 1975 | 14.2% | +7.0% |
| 1976 | 8.7% | -38.3% |
| 1977 | 8.2% | -6.1% |
| 1978 | 7.8% | -5.1% |
| 1979 | 9.0% | +15.0% |
| 1980 | 9.8% | +10.0% |
| 1981 | 12.0% | +22.3% |
| 1982 | 7.8% | -35.5% |
| 1983 | 7.9% | +1.9% |
| 1984 | 6.8% | -14.7% |
| 1985 | 5.8% | -14.6% |
| 1986 | 5.7% | -0.5% |
| 1987 | 5.0% | -12.8% |
| 1988 | 5.6% | +11.0% |
| 1989 | 6.2% | +10.7% |
| 1990 | 5.6% | -9.0% |
| 1991 | 5.8% | +3.9% |
| 1992 | 6.1% | +5.1% |
| 1993 | 5.8% | -5.0% |
| 1994 | 5.7% | -1.1% |
| 1995 | 5.4% | -5.5% |
| 1996 | 5.9% | +8.7% |
| 1997 | 5.6% | -4.8% |
| 1998 | 6.1% | +7.8% |
| 1999 | 5.6% | -8.0% |
| 2000 | 4.8% | -13.7% |
| 2001 | 5.7% | +17.7% |
| 2002 | 6.0% | +5.1% |
| 2003 | 5.5% | -7.3% |
| 2004 | 4.9% | -11.3% |
| 2005 | 4.4% | -9.2% |
| 2006 | 4.2% | -5.1% |
| 2007 | 4.4% | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 4.5% | +1.2% |
| 2009 | 4.9% | +10.3% |
| 2010 | 4.5% | -8.7% |
| 2011 | 4.8% | +7.3% |
| 2012 | 4.8% | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 4.9% | +2.4% |
| 2014 | 5.1% | +4.8% |
| 2015 | 5.9% | +15.6% |
| 2016 | 6.4% | +8.0% |
| 2017 | 5.9% | -7.8% |
| 2018 | 5.8% | -1.6% |
| 2019 | 6.2% | +6.1% |
| 2020 | 6.7% | +9.0% |
| 2021 | 6.2% | -8.0% |
| 2022 | 6.1% | -2.1% |
| 2023 | 6.3% | +4.5% |
| 2024 | 6.3% | -0.7% |
| 2025 | 6.5% | +2.9% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 6.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 12.9%, 50% of the median. (71 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 6.5% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 12.9%, 50% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 15.5% | 10.7% | 22.5% | 8 |
| 1970s | 12.7% | 7.8% | 18.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 7.3% | 5.0% | 12.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.8% | 5.4% | 6.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.9% | 4.2% | 6.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.4% | 4.5% | 6.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.3% | 6.1% | 6.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More private sector data for South Korea
- Merchandise trade 71.6% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 62.1% (2025)
- Merchandise imports 631.89 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service imports 183.44 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 1.7% (2025)
- Manufactures exports 88.0% (2025)
- Merchandise exports 709.33 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 149.31 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 13,724 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.3788 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in South Korea?
- Food imports in South Korea was 6.5% in 2025, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 22.5% in 1963.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.2% in 2006.
- How does South Korea rank for food imports?
- South Korea ranks 185th out of 196 countries with data for 2025.
- Is food imports rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Food imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Food comprises the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) sections 0 (food and live animals), 1 (beverages and tobacco), and 4 (animal and vegetable oils and fats) and division 22 (oil seeds, oil nuts, and oil kernels). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.