World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
South Koreans support vegan values but resist paying more for products
A survey of 1,000 adults in South Korea found a gap between support for vegan values and buying vegan products.
More than half said vegan products can help protect animals or the environment, but only 24% said they would buy them if they cost more.
Price was a major barrier, with 55% saying they were unwilling to pay extra.
Vegan food purchases fell to 23% in the past year, down from 30% the year before.
Awareness of veganism also slipped, with 36% saying they knew about it, compared with 40% a year earlier.
Researchers say lower prices, better access and trusted certification are needed to help turn support into purchases.
A South Korean survey found that many people see benefits in vegan products but are reluctant to pay more for them.
Only 24% said they would buy vegan products even at a higher price, while 55% said they were unwilling to pay extra.
The share who had bought vegan food in the past year fell to 23%, down 7 percentage points from the previous year.
More than half said vegan products help protect animal rights, and half said they help protect the environment.
The survey researcher said product access, trust in certification and price burdens were challenges.
- Who
- South Korean adults aged 18 and older surveyed by Korea Research.
- What
- The survey measured awareness of veganism and attitudes and purchasing experiences related to vegan products.
- When
- The survey was conducted July 24–29; the article was published October 21, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The survey examined public awareness, views and purchasing of vegan products.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Korea Research conducted a web survey of 1,000 South Korean adults aged 18 and older.
Donga Ilbo published the survey findings.
- Higher-price purchases
- 24% said they would buy vegan products even if they cost more.
- Unwilling to pay extra
- 55% said they would not pay an additional amount.
- Vegan food purchases
- 23% had bought vegan food in the past year, down 7 percentage points from the previous year.
- Animal rights
- 54% said vegan products help protect animal rights.
- Survey sample
- 1,000 adults aged 18 and older in South Korea.
1 source
What people are saying
People sympathize with the values that veganism pursues, but that sympathy is not translating into awareness and consumption.