Despite economic challenges, including the depreciation of the South Korean won, Dutch agri-food exports to South Korea experienced significant growth in 2025. A newly released overview highlights the rising opportunities and market shifts for Dutch companies in the region.
Beeld: © SEO-LVVN / AI generated image
Key highlights from the report
- Strong growth: total Dutch agri-food exports to South Korea reached €585 million, marking a 9.4% increase compared to the previous year.
- Leading commodities: pork and milk powder preparation remain the top agricultural exports, ranking 3rd and 5th by export value across all trade commodities from the Netherlands to South Korea. Notably, Dutch pork exports saw a 15.5% increase despite a general decline in overall South Korean pork imports.
- Rising stars: cocoa powder imports surged due to a global cacao shortage and increasing local consumption of cacao-based products. Meanwhile, Dutch soybean oil is gaining traction as rising energy and labor costs impact South Korean production, alongside a positive quality and brand image for "Made in the Netherlands".
- Market challenges: conversely, Dutch beer exports suffered a sharp 42% decline, losing market share to Japan, China, and the U.S. due to shifting pricing dynamics and geopolitical stability.
More information
Looking ahead, the agriculture team at the embassy will host a Dutch Pavilion at the Seoul Food expo from June 9–12, 2026. Interested businesses can register by emailing SEO-LVVN@minbuza.nl.
You can download the full overview in the link below.