Business · Economy · 1 day ago
Korean shoppers increasingly buy packaged kimchi instead of making it
In South Korea, fewer households are making kimchi at home, even though cabbage prices are lower than last year.
A four-person household bought an average of 18.3 cabbages for kimchi-making last year, down from 21.9 in 2020.
The share of households that bought packaged kimchi rose from 29.5% to 32.5% last year.
Many buyers want to purchase only what they need or avoid the work of making kimchi.
Sales of small packs are growing faster than sales of larger packs at some retailers.
Companies are also selling premium kimchi, including one department-store product priced at 30,000 won per kilogram.
Retailers are expanding their products and sales channels, while some are offering regular delivery to encourage year-round purchases.
Korean households are increasingly buying packaged kimchi as fewer make it at home.
In 2025, 62.3% of households said they made kimchi themselves, down 2.2 percentage points from the previous year.
The share that bought commercial kimchi rose from 29.5% to 32.5%, with convenience cited as the main reason.
Retailers reported rising sales of packaged kimchi, especially smaller packs.
Some retailers are also expanding premium offerings, including kimchi priced at 30,000 won per kilogram.
- Who
- Korean households are increasingly buying packaged kimchi, while retailers are expanding their offerings.
- What
- Packaged kimchi sales are rising as fewer households make kimchi at home.
- When
- The article was published on October 10, 2026; it reports consumer and sales trends from 2025 and 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Buyers cited being able to purchase only the amount they need and the effort involved in making kimchi.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
직접 김치를 담그기보다 필요한 만큼 사 먹는 소비가 일반화되고 있다
용량과 품질, 가격대를 세분화해 상품군을 확대하고 있다
Four-person households bought an average of 21.9 cabbages for kimjang, the article says.
The share of households making kimchi themselves was 62.3%, while the share buying commercial kimchi was 32.5%.
Lotte Mart’s packaged kimchi sales rose about 5% year on year, while Emart’s sales of packs of 1 kilogram or less rose 6.6%.
Kurly’s packaged kimchi transaction value rose 35% year on year, with small-pack sales up 39%.
Hyundai Department Store planned to introduce 12 kimchi varieties from the traditional-food brand Myeongin Myeongchon at its Apgujeong main store.
- Home-made kimchi households
- 62.3% in 2025, down 2.2 percentage points year on year
- Commercial kimchi buyers
- 32.5% in 2025, up from 29.5%
- Main reason for buying
- 39.5% said they could buy only the amount they needed
- Premium cabbage kimchi
- 30,000 won per kilogram at Myeongin Myeongchon
- Chosun Hotel kimchi revenue
- 540 billion won in 2025
Sources
Related news
SK chief says Honam chip project can start before power and water arrive
20 outage-prone financial firms spent less than 70% of security budgets
South Korea introduces smartphone checks for counterfeit K-brand products
Coupang to compensate customers, riders and restaurants after system outage
More than half of KDB small-business funding went to Seoul region
Samsung may cut smartphone production as rising memory costs erase profits
South Korean ship completes trial voyage through Arctic route
Energy leaders meet in Riyadh amid supply and shipping risks
South Korean freighter completes Arctic route test to Europe and back
South Korean freighter returns from Europe via Arctic route
South Korean container ship completes Northern Sea Route round trip
