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Kimchi Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

The global kimchi market is worth USD 2.8 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 5.1 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.2% CAGR. South Korea is the largest country market and Whole head is the largest by form segment.

USD 2.8 bnMarket size 2026
USD 5.1 bnForecast 2036
6.2%CAGR 2026-2036
South KoreaLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

Market overview

The global kimchi market is worth USD 2.8 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 5.1 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.2% CAGR. South Korea is the largest country market and Whole head is the largest by form segment.

ScopeFermented napa cabbage and radish seasoned with chilli, garlic and ginger, sold packaged and in foodservice, including cut, whole-head and vegan kimchi.
IndustryFood and Beverage
Value 2025USD 2.6 bn
Value 2026USD 2.8 bn
Value 2036USD 5.1 bn
CAGR 2026-20366.2%
Volume 20261,054 thousand tonnes
Volume 20361,742 thousand tonnes
Average price 2026USD 2,626 per tonne
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Kimchi market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global kimchi market is forecast to grow from USD 2.8 bn in 2026 to USD 5.1 bn by 2036, a rise of 82%Global market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 6.2%
Kimchi market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 2.6 bn; 2026: USD 2.8 bn; 2027: USD 2.9 bn; 2028: USD 3.1 bn; 2029: USD 3.3 bn; 2030: USD 3.5 bn; 2031: USD 3.7 bn; 2032: USD 4.0 bn; 2033: USD 4.2 bn; 2034: USD 4.5 bn; 2035: USD 4.8 bn; 2036: USD 5.1 bn. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 6.2%.20252.8 bn20263.7 bn20315.1 bn20366.2% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 2.8 bn
2027USD 2.9 bn
2028USD 3.1 bn
2029USD 3.3 bn
2030USD 3.5 bn
2031USD 3.7 bn
2032USD 4.0 bn
2033USD 4.2 bn
2034USD 4.5 bn
2035USD 4.8 bn
2036USD 5.1 bn

Kimchi market segmentation

By form

Exhibit 2Whole head is the largest segment by form, with 42.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by form
Kimchi market share by form, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by form. Whole head: 42.0%; Cut kimchi: 36.0%; Radish and other kimchi: 22.0%.Whole head42.0%Cut kimchi36.0%Radish and other kimchi22.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Whole head42.0%37.3%USD 1.2 bn4.9%
Cut kimchi36.0%36.8%USD 997 mn6.4%
Radish and other kimchi22.0%25.9%USD 609 mn7.9%

By channel

Exhibit 3Retail adds the most revenue by channel, growing from USD 1.5 bn in 2026 to USD 2.6 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by channel, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Kimchi market by channel, 2026 and 2036Revenue by channel in 2026 and 2036. Retail: USD 1.5 bn in 2026, USD 2.6 bn in 2036, change +71%; Foodservice: USD 969 mn in 2026, USD 1.7 bn in 2036, change +74%; Industrial use and online: USD 277 mn in 2026, USD 764 mn in 2036, change +176%.20262036 forecastChangeRetail+71%1.5 bn2.6 bnFoodservice+74%969 mn1.7 bnIndustrial use and online+176%277 mn764 mn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Retail55.0%51.5%USD 1.5 bn5.5%
Foodservice35.0%33.4%USD 969 mn5.7%
Industrial use and online10.0%15.1%USD 277 mn10.7%

By packaging

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Bulk tubs and drums34.0%32.0%USD 941 mn5.6%
Pouches30.0%30.0%USD 831 mn6.2%
Jars and cups24.0%25.0%USD 665 mn6.6%
Cans and glass jars12.0%13.0%USD 332 mn7.0%

By storage treatment

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Fresh and fermented52.0%47.0%USD 1.4 bn5.1%
Pasteurised shelf-stable36.0%39.0%USD 997 mn7.0%
Frozen and other12.0%14.0%USD 332 mn7.8%

By heat level

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Mild28.0%31.0%USD 775 mn7.3%
Medium44.0%43.0%USD 1.2 bn6.0%
Hot28.0%26.0%USD 775 mn5.4%

Top 25 countries for kimchi by revenue

Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 92.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 97.8%.

Exhibit 4South Korea is the largest country market at USD 1.7 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 75.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Kimchi market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. South Korea: USD 1.7 bn, 60.0%; China: USD 222 mn, 8.0%; Japan: USD 194 mn, 7.0%; United States: USD 166 mn, 6.0%; Vietnam: USD 83 mn, 3.0%; Germany: USD 55 mn, 2.0%; Thailand: USD 55 mn, 2.0%; United Kingdom: USD 42 mn, 1.5%; Australia: USD 42 mn, 1.5%; Canada: USD 42 mn, 1.5%.South Korea1.7 bn 60.0%China222 mn 8.0%Japan194 mn 7.0%United States166 mn 6.0%Vietnam83 mn 3.0%Germany55 mn 2.0%Thailand55 mn 2.0%United Kingdom42 mn 1.5%Australia42 mn 1.5%Canada42 mn 1.5%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1South KoreaUSD 1.7 bn60.0%USD 2.7 bn4.9%
2ChinaUSD 222 mn8.0%USD 475 mn7.9%
3JapanUSD 194 mn7.0%USD 344 mn5.9%
4United StatesUSD 166 mn6.0%USD 430 mn10.0%
5VietnamUSD 83 mn3.0%USD 197 mn9.0%
6GermanyUSD 55 mn2.0%USD 131 mn9.0%
7ThailandUSD 55 mn2.0%USD 116 mn7.7%
8United KingdomUSD 42 mn1.5%USD 106 mn9.8%
9AustraliaUSD 42 mn1.5%USD 96 mn8.7%
10CanadaUSD 42 mn1.5%USD 96 mn8.7%
11MalaysiaUSD 23 mn0.8%USD 45 mn7.2%
12SingaporeUSD 16 mn0.6%USD 32 mn7.1%
13TaiwanUSD 13 mn0.5%USD 20 mn4.5%
14Hong KongUSD 11 mn0.4%USD 18 mn4.5%
15PhilippinesUSD 10 mn0.4%USD 20 mn7.0%
16FranceUSD 9.1 mn0.3%USD 15 mn4.8%
17NetherlandsUSD 8.6 mn0.3%USD 13 mn4.3%
18MexicoUSD 8.0 mn0.3%USD 16 mn7.2%
19IndonesiaUSD 7.5 mn0.3%USD 15 mn7.3%
20New ZealandUSD 7.2 mn0.3%USD 11 mn4.4%
21RussiaUSD 6.9 mn0.2%USD 9.1 mn2.8%
22PolandUSD 6.7 mn0.2%USD 13 mn7.0%
23BrazilUSD 6.4 mn0.2%USD 13 mn7.1%
24ItalyUSD 6.1 mn0.2%USD 9.6 mn4.7%
25Saudi ArabiaUSD 5.8 mn0.2%USD 12 mn7.2%
Rest of worldUSD 62 mn2.2%USD 117 mn6.6%
Exhibit 5South Korea and United States account for 56% of the USD 2.3 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Kimchi market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 2.8 bn. South Korea: +USD 1.0 bn; United States: +USD 263 mn; China: +USD 253 mn; Japan: +USD 150 mn; Vietnam: +USD 114 mn; 20 other countries: +USD 426 mn; Rest of world: +USD 55 mn. Market value 2036: USD 5.1 bn.Market value 20262.8 bnSouth Korea+1.0 bnUnited States+263 mnChina+253 mnJapan+150 mnVietnam+114 mn20 other countries+426 mnRest of world+55 mnMarket value 20365.1 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

Competitive landscape

Group 1: Global leaders

  • CJ CheilJedang
  • Daesang
  • Pulmuone

Group 2: Regional and specialist players

  • Dongwon F&B
  • Mother-in-Law's Kimchi
  • Wang Korea
  • Sunja's Oriental Foods
  • Mama O's Premium Kimchi

Group 3: Emerging and niche players

  • Wildbrine
  • Sinto Gourmet
  • Farmhouse Culture
  • Cleveland Kitchen

Research methodology

Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the kimchi market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.

The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.2% is calculated from the resulting values.

The market is divided by form, by channel, by packaging, by storage treatment, by heat level. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.

Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.

Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.

Read the full research methodology

Frequently asked questions

How big is the kimchi market?

The global kimchi market is estimated at USD 2.6 bn in 2025 and USD 2.8 bn in 2026.

How fast will the kimchi market grow?

It is forecast to reach USD 5.1 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.2% from 2026, an increase of USD 2.3 bn.

Which country is the largest market for kimchi?

South Korea is the largest market by revenue at USD 1.7 bn in 2026, 60.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 75.0%.

Which country is growing fastest?

Among the ten largest markets, United States is growing fastest at 10.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.

Which kimchi segment is largest?

In the by form split, Whole head is the largest segment with 42.0% of 2026 revenue.

Who are the leading kimchi companies?

Global leaders include CJ CheilJedang, Daesang, Pulmuone.

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