With limited domestic production and rising consumer demand, Korea's imports of tree nuts have continued to grow steadily, recording a compound annual growth rate of six percent over the past five years. In 2024, the United States dominated the Korean tree nut market, accounting for approximately 87% of total imports.
Korean consumers place a high value on tree nuts for their perceived health benefits. However, due to the country's limited capacity for domestic production, Korea relies heavily on imports to meet its consumption needs. In 2024, Korea imported a total of $299 million worth of tree nuts.
The United States remains the leading supplier, providing the majority of imported almonds and walnuts. Almonds alone account for nearly half of all tree nut imports into Korea, followed by walnuts, macadamias, and hazelnuts.
Although American tree nuts continue to be favored in the Korean market, other countries are slowly increasing their presence. Exporters from Australia, Turkey, China, and Chile are gradually introducing more competition into the sector.
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