Rising to a series high
South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita moved from 0.780 Kilogram in 2015 to 0.880 Kilogram in 2023 (+12.8%), an average of +1.5% a year. The series high was 0.880 Kilogram in 2023 and the low 0.780 Kilogram in 2015.
What South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita shows
South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita was 0.880 Kilogram in 2023, up 2.3% on 2022. South Korea's cocoa beans consumption per capita between 2015 and 2023 reflects a steadily growing consumer market, supported by increasing chocolate demand, changing dietary preferences, expanding café culture, and rising popularity of premium confectionery products. Validated Our World in Data data shows per capita cocoa beans consumption increased from 780 grams in 2015 to 880 grams in 2023.
A 11.4% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 0.1000 Kilogram. The sharpest single-year move was +6.4% in 2021.
Ranks 28 of 44 countries covered
Among the 44 countries in this dataset, South Korea ranks 28 for 2023, behind Luxembourg (5.42 Kilogram) and Iceland (5.27 Kilogram). The global figure for 2023 is 0.658 Kilogram, so South Korea is above it.
Full series
South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Kilogram.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Kilogram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 0.880 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 0.860 | +3.6% |
| 2021 | 0.830 | +6.4% |
| 2020 | 0.780 | −2.5% |
| 2019 | 0.800 | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 0.790 | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 0.780 | −4.9% |
| 2016 | 0.820 | +5.1% |
| 2015 Trough | 0.780 | — |
Regional context
How South Korea compares in Asia
Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Kilogram. South Korea is highlighted.
1Israel4.15
2Indonesia1.73
3Saudi Arabia1.27
4Turkey0.990
5South Korea0.880
6Philippines0.820
7Thailand0.800
8Taiwan0.670
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita — Cocoa beans consumption per capita refers to the average amount of cocoa beans available for consumption per person in a country, measured in grams per person per year. The indicator represents the per capita availability of cocoa beans based on food supply data, reflecting the estimated quantity of cocoa beans available for human consumption after accounting for production, imports, exports, and other supply adjustments. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported annually for the selected period.
The data includes the estimated per capita availability of cocoa beans for human consumption, calculated from national food supply balances. It covers cocoa beans as a food commodity and reflects factors such as domestic production, imports, exports, stock changes, and other supply-side adjustments used to estimate food availability. The dataset is compiled from food balance statistics based on sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, with values standardized on a per-person basis for cross-country comparison.
The data excludes actual individual consumption patterns, household-level consumption surveys, and differences in consumption behavior among population groups. It does not measure the consumption of processed chocolate products, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, or other cocoa-derived products separately. The indicator also excludes non-food uses of cocoa beans, food waste at the retail or household level, and informal or unrecorded consumption activities. Values represent food availability estimates rather than direct measurements of cocoa beans physically consumed by individuals.
About this indicator
Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita — Cocoa beans consumption per capita refers to the average amount of cocoa beans available for consumption per person in a country, measured in grams per person per year. The indicator represents the per capita availability of cocoa beans based on food supply data, reflecting the estimated quantity of cocoa beans available for human consumption after accounting for production, imports, exports, and other supply adjustments. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported annually for the selected period.
Despite minor annual fluctuations, South Korea demonstrated a positive long-term consumption trend driven by consumer interest in chocolate-based products, desserts, and premium food offerings.
During the early period, consumption remained relatively stable, increasing from 780 grams in 2015 to 820 grams in 2016 before moderating to 780 grams in 2017. Consumption remained consistent at 790 grams in 2018 and 800 grams in 2019, reflecting steady household demand, strong retail availability, and continued consumer preference for confectionery products. The growth of cafés, bakeries, and premium dessert brands further supported cocoa product consumption.
In 2020, consumption slightly declined to 780 grams due to pandemic-related changes in consumer behavior, reduced foodservice activity, and shifts in discretionary spending. However, the market recovered strongly in 2021, with consumption increasing to 830 grams, supported by improving economic conditions, renewed consumer spending, and growing demand for indulgent food products.
Consumption continued to rise in 2022, reaching 860 grams, and further increased to 880 grams in 2023, representing the highest level during the study period. This growth reflects expanding consumer acceptance of premium chocolate products, increased availability of international brands, and evolving lifestyle trends among South Korean consumers.
Overall, South Korea's cocoa consumption market demonstrates strong growth potential, supported by rising consumer demand, premiumization trends, and a developed food and beverage sector. The dataset provides valuable insights for chocolate manufacturers, cocoa suppliers, retailers, and investors to analyze consumption patterns, benchmark market performance, forecast demand, and understand evolving consumer preferences within South Korea's cocoa market.
- Indicator
- Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita
- Country
- South Korea
- Region
- Asia
- Unit
- Kilogram
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita?
Cocoa beans consumption per capita refers to the average amount of cocoa beans available for consumption per person in a country, measured in grams per person per year. The indicator represents the per capita availability of cocoa beans based on food supply data, reflecting the estimated quantity of cocoa beans available for human consumption after accounting for production, imports, exports, and other supply adjustments. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported annually for the selected period.
What was South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita in 2023?
South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita was 0.880 Kilogram in 2023, up 2.3% on 2022.
How has South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita changed between 2015 and 2023?
South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita moved from 0.780 Kilogram in 2015 to 0.880 Kilogram in 2023 (+12.8%), an average of +1.5% a year. The series high was 0.880 Kilogram in 2023 and the low 0.780 Kilogram in 2015.
Which year had the highest and lowest South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita?
The highest value was 0.880 Kilogram in 2023 and the lowest was 0.780 Kilogram in 2015.
What does the South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the estimated per capita availability of cocoa beans for human consumption, calculated from national food supply balances. It covers cocoa beans as a food commodity and reflects factors such as domestic production, imports, exports, stock changes, and other supply-side adjustments used to estimate food availability. The dataset is compiled from food balance statistics based on sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, with values standardized on a per-person basis for cross-country comparison. Excluded: The data excludes actual individual consumption patterns, household-level consumption surveys, and differences in consumption behavior among population groups. It does not measure the consumption of processed chocolate products, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, or other cocoa-derived products separately. The indicator also excludes non-food uses of cocoa beans, food waste at the retail or household level, and informal or unrecorded consumption activities. Values represent food availability estimates rather than direct measurements of cocoa beans physically consumed by individuals.
Where does the South Korea Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&time=2015..latest&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls&tableSearch=singa&Food=Cocoa+beans&Metric=Food+available+for+consumption&Per+capita=true). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Kilogram.
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