Republic of Korea: Eggplant Market 2025

Eggplant Market Size in Republic of Korea

The South Korean eggplant market rose modestly to $X in 2022, increasing by 3% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable curtailment. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Eggplant Production in Republic of Korea

In value terms, eggplant production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 24%. Eggplant production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of eggplants (aubergines) in South Korea stood at X tons per ha, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 0.3%. The eggplant yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of eggplants (aubergines) production in South Korea amounted to X ha, approximately equating the year before. In general, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to eggplant production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Eggplant Exports

Exports from Republic of Korea

In 2022, overseas shipments of eggplants (aubergines) decreased by -58% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, exports showed a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 107% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, eggplant exports fell rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a perceptible reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 99% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons) was the main destination for eggplant exports from South Korea, with a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, eggplant exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Hong Kong SAR (X tons), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Japan stood at -8.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (+22.3% per year) and Singapore (+108.5% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and Singapore ($X) were the largest markets for eggplant exported from South Korea worldwide, together accounting for 97% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Singapore, with a CAGR of +128.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average eggplant export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 36% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, eggplant export price increased by +68.4% against 2018 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Singapore (+9.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Eggplant Imports

Imports into Republic of Korea

In 2022, after five years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of eggplants (aubergines), when their volume increased by 73% to X kg. In general, imports posted a noticeable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 802%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X kg. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, eggplant imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 755% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X kg) constituted the largest supplier of eggplant to South Korea, with a 62% share of total imports. Moreover, eggplant imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Egypt (X kg), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil amounted to -48.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (0.0% per year) and Belgium (0.0% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Belgium ($X) and Egypt ($X) appeared to be the largest eggplant suppliers to South Korea, with a combined 76% share of total imports.

Belgium, with a CAGR of 0.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average eggplant import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average import price increased by 68%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-19.0%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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