Kimchi Market Size & Outlook, 2026-2034

Kimchi Market Overview

The global kimchi market size is estimated at USD 4.29 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 6.88 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and penetration of the product owing to its probiotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. As fermented kimchi is a healthy food, it assists in triglyceride lowering, high blood pressure reduction, immunity enhancement, improvement in gut health, and support for cardiovascular functioning as well.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• Asia Pacific held a dominant share of the market, accounting for 41.37% revenue share in 2025.
• The North America region emerged as the fastest-growing region, with a CAGR of 6.71% from 2026-2034.
• Based on type, the baechu kimchi segment held the highest market share of 37.59% in 2025.
• Based on packaging, the pouch segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR growth of 6.83% from 2026-2034.
• Based on the distribution channel, the offline segment held the highest market share of 59.65% in 2025.
• China dominated the regional market in 2025 with a revenue share of 30.47%.

Table: China Kimchi Market Size

Source: Straits Research

Market Size & Forecast

• 2025 Market Size: USD 4.29 billion
• 2034 Projected Market Size: USD 6.88 billion
• CAGR (2026-2034): 5.4%
• Dominating Region: Asia Pacific
• Fastest-Growing Region: North America

Kimchi is a fermented food prepared from various key ingredients such as cabbage and radish. According to the raw materials, kimchi gets further divided into various types. It is a prominent source of probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, thereby offering multiple health benefits. Rising health consciousness and product variants significantly promote the demand for kimchi across the globe.

Latest Market Trends

Growing Demand for Freshly Prepared Kimchi

Kimchi is basically produced in South Korea, and then it is imported to global locations as per demand. But the kimchi consumers are demanding locally produced and freshly prepared kimchi. This rising demand reflects the kimchi market expansion. To address this surging demand, CJ CheilJedang started local production of kimchi in Australia as per the Australian consumers’ demand. This expansion by manufacturing companies highlights the current trend of freshly prepared kimchi.

Integration of Kimchi in Sauce

Kimchi products are getting explored through integration in various types of food products. These integrations are promoting its consumption across the globe. Key players are engaged in the production of novel products using kimchi with a higher shelf life. CJ Foods launched an all-purpose kimchi sauce by proprietary fermentation technology. This sauce is anticipated to be distributed to 12 countries globally. This product launch expands the product reach to various countries, promoting the demand for kimchi.

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Kimchi Market Driver

Consistent Growth of the Food Industry

The consistently growing food and beverage industry signifies the demand for healthy food. As kimchi is one of the most preferred foods, this constant growth of the industry underscores the demand for kimchi. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, China's food processing industry grew by 2.2%, and the food service industry grew by 5.3% this year in comparison to the previous year. This strong growth shown by the Chinese food industry signifies the demand for kimchi, thereby driving the market growth.

Market Restraint

Climate Change: A Threat to Key Ingredients

Napa cabbage is a key ingredient utilized in the preparation of kimchi. It needs an 18–21°C temperature range for cultivation. The rising temperature in South Korea is impacting the growth of the napa cabbage, thereby disrupting the supply chain and impacting market growth. For instance, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration, South Korea faced a temperature above 25°C this year. This temperature rise restricts the growth of Napa cabbage, resulting in a decrease in yield, further impacting the market growth with supply chain disruptions.

Market Opportunity

Collaborative Premium Product Development

Kimchi is getting traction across the globe with its efficient probiotic properties and health benefits. So, the Korean companies are collaborating with local manufacturers to develop premium products, resulting in the launch of new products in the market. Daesang’s Jogga partnered with a Michelin 3-Star Chef this year and introduced two varieties of kimchi in partnership. Such collaborative approaches by key players assist in market expansion as well as penetration with new product launches, thereby presenting opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

According to Straits Research, Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2025, accounting for 41.37% market share. This dominance is attributed to the presence of leading manufacturing companies such as Daesang Corporation and CJ CheilJedang Corp., the dominance of countries such as South Korea and China in the production of kimchi, product expansion by key players, and rising health consciousness with respect to diet in developing countries.

South Korea is experiencing a robust growth in the kimchi market, being the leading producer and exporter of kimchi. The presence of major key players such as Daesang Corporation and CJ CheilJedang Corp., growing awareness regarding the health benefits of kimchi, and the expansion of business by domestic manufacturing companies to other global locations significantly propel the market growth in South Korea.

North America Market Insights

North America is emerging as the fastest-growing region with a CAGR of 6.71% from 2026-2034, owing to rising health consciousness, diet consciousness, government’s strategic initiatives for health promotion, and expansion and collaborations by leading manufacturers in countries from North America.

The kimchi market in the U.S. is driven by growing demand by rising prevalence of chronic conditions that are creating health consciousness, rising demand by U.S. consumers, and expansion of business by key players in the U.S. CJ CheilJedang expanded its kimchi production base in the U.S. and acquired a kimchi manufacturer in the U.S. for in-house production capabilities.

Regional Market share (%) in 2025

Source: Straits Research

Europe Market Insights

The European kimchi market is driven by the high percentage of trade in consumer-oriented food and beverages. This consumer-oriented approach and imports from other countries propel the demand for kimchi as a healthy food.

Germany is the leading food industry in the European Union. The country focuses on import of consumer-oriented products. The highest import of food and beverages highlights the demand for kimchi in Germany. This consumer-oriented approach presents opportunities for market growth in Germany.

Middle East & Africa Market Insights

The MEA market for kimchi is propelled by the increasing need for health consciousness, with the rise of new diseases and an increase in prevalence. Countries from MEA are importing raw materials for kimchi, such as cabbage, thereby propelling the manufacturing rate of kimchi.

The increase in imports of cabbage presents opportunities to increase the manufacturing rate of kimchi in Mauritania. Mauritania’s import of cabbage increased from 25,783 tons to 59,395 tons last year.

Latin America Market Insights

The Latin American market for kimchi is driven by strategic investments in the food industry by investment firms and demand by urban millennials in Brazil and Mexico who fuse its probiotic punch with local tacos and feijoada, spawning artisanal brands that blend napa cabbage with yuzu or aji peppers for a tropical twist. This fusion not only caters to health-conscious palates amid rising gut wellness trends but also positions kimchi as a bridge between pop culture and regional biodiversity, fostering pop-up festivals and e-commerce surges that are estimated to surge import volumes by decade's end.

Strategic investments by the investment firms in food manufacturing explore the demand for kimchi in Brazil. ACON Investments entered into an investment agreement with KiSabor, a manufacturer and distributor of branded consumer food products in Brazil.

Type Insights

According to Straits Research, the baechu kimchi segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 37.59% in 2025. This growth is driven by dominant approach of consumers due to its digestive health and immune system supportive characteristics, and high cultivation of napa cabbage being its major component.

The kimchi with kkakdugi kimchi segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR growth of 6.57% during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to rising demand for radish-based kimchi, offering health benefits such as anti-inflammation, weight reduction, and rising demand by Korean people with inclusion of other vegetables in this kimchi.

Form Market Share (%), 2025

Source: Straits Research

Packaging Insights

The bottle segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 41.65% in 2025. This growth is driven by efficient packaging to offer long shelf life, maintenance of product stability during transportation, availability of multiple sizes from small to large sizes according to the need, and is primarily applicable for industrial purposes.

The kimchi with pouch segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR growth of 6.83% during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to rising demand for kimchi for household purposes, easy to carry for small quantities, and availability in ready-to-eat pouches as well.

Distribution Channel Insights

The kimchi with the offline segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 59.65% in 2025. This growth is driven by widespread outlets, the availability of multiple products enhancing consumer experience, preference for household purposes, and collaborations with food industries. Consumers from developing countries such as India prefer to purchase from supermarkets or hypermarkets.

The kimchi with the online segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to rising market penetration for household settings, preference for home delivery by consumers, and availability of products on multiple e-commerce platforms, enhancing the consumer experience.

Competitive Landscape

The global kimchi market is moderately fragmented, with major manufacturing companies having a global presence, trying to increase their market share by undertaking strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, new product development, and partnerships.

The major players in the market include Daesang Corporation, CJ CheilJedang Corp., Pulmuone, Narichan, Choi’s Kimchi Co., Dongwon F&B, and others. These industry players compete to gain a strong market reach with a continuous supply of quality products.

Cleveland Kitchen: An emerging market player

Cleveland Kitchen is a U.S.-based company established in 2014. The company specializes in fresh, flavourful, and fermented foods. Cleveland designs fermented food for consumers in the U.S. The product portfolio comprises sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, dressings, and marinades.

• In June 2025, Cleveland Kitchen launched new fermented sauces comprising new kimchi ranch, offering a spicy and tangy profile to the product. Inclusion of kimchi in the preparation of new products enhances its demand.

With quality and multiple products, Cleveland continues to grow in the kimchi market.

List of key players in Kimchi Market

1. Bombucha
2. Daesang Corporation
3. CJ CheilJedang Corp.
4. Pulmuone
5. Mama O's Premium Kimchi
6. Weifang Jiahe Food Co., Ltd
7. Sinto Gourmet
8. Narichan
9. Choi’s Kimchi Co.
10. Nongshim USA
11. Cosmos Food Co., Inc.
12. Dongwon F&B
13. Mother-in-Law's
14. Sunja's Kimchi
15. Cleveland Kitchen
16. MadgesFood
17. John's Kimchi
18. KIMCHI KOOKS
19. Arirang Kimchi
20. Red Kettle Foods LLC
21. Others

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Strategic Initiatives

• 27th August 2025: Daesang announced a collaboration of its kimchi brand Jongga with restaurants in the U.S. and Australia, thereby promoting market penetration.
• 23rd May 2025: Daesang Corporation launched an advanced analytical system for innovation in its food and materials business. Launch of this system promotes the development of new and quality kimchi products.