Technical Report: South Korea's milk powder market – Opportunities for Dutch dairy exporters
The most recent technical report on South Korea's milk powder market has just been released. As global dairy markets continue to evolve, South Korea stands out as a strategically important destination for Dutch milk powder exports. The Netherlands has long held a leading position in this market—particularly in skim and whole milk powder preparations (S(W)MPP)—thanks to its advanced blending capabilities, consistent product quality, and favorable access under the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement. This new technical report by LAN Seoul provides Dutch dairy businesses with in-depth market intelligence and practical insights on how to maintain and grow their market presence in South Korea.
What you’ll find in the report
- A breakdown of tariff structures and FTA quotas, and how Dutch companies are leveraging compound blends to optimize cost-efficiency and market access.
- The competitive landscape, showing where the Netherlands leads—and where it’s losing ground—to countries like the U.S., New Zealand, and Singapore.
- Product-specific analysis of SMP, WMP, S(W)MPP, whey protein, cocoa preparations, casein, and lactose—highlighting usage trends and import data.
- How structural challenges in South Korea’s dairy industry—such as high domestic milk prices and low self-sufficiency—are creating opportunities for high-quality imports.
- The impact of the KRW depreciation and its implications for EU exporters.
Key insights
- The Netherlands remains dominant in the S(W)MPP segment, accounting for over 55% of total imports, with a market share of 76% in some categories.
- However, Dutch exporters have seen a decline in cocoa preparations and whey powder, areas now led by Singapore and the U.S. respectively—highlighting the need for strategic adaptation and innovation.
- Whey protein is a rising star, driven by South Korea’s growing demand for high-protein foods—offering new growth potential for Dutch suppliers.
Why read this report?
Whether you are an exporter, processor, trader, or investor in the dairy supply chain, this report offers actionable insights to help you anticipate trends, navigate tariffs, and position Dutch dairy products as premium and competitive ingredients in the Korean market.