Dog food in South Korea is shaped by changing household structures, cautious consumer spending and growing attention to the health needs of ageing pets. According to Vyansa Intelligence, the sector was valued at USD 860 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.03 billion by 2032, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61% during 2026–2032. These figures point to measured expansion, with product preferences and demographic conditions influencing its direction.
Household Changes and the Limits to Pet Ownership
The growth of South Korea’s dog population has remained below 1% annually since 2023, and this relatively slow pace is expected to continue through 2030. Higher living expenses, inflation and the cost of caring for a pet can discourage households from acquiring a dog. These pressures are particularly relevant where potential owners already face constrained household budgets.
Urban living conditions also influence ownership decisions. Smaller residential spaces can limit the suitability of keeping a dog, while the increasing prevalence of single- and two-person households may make daily pet care more difficult for people who spend long periods away from home. With fewer new dog owners entering the category, manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on product development, premium offerings and the needs of existing pets.
Dry Food Retains Its Central Role
Dry dog food accounted for 65% of value sales in 2025, making it the leading product category. Its position reflects its role as a regular part of canine diets and its relative affordability compared with other formats. The segment is expected to remain important, with a projected volume CAGR of approximately 1.27%.
Premium dry food is expected to provide the strongest growth within the category. Even when household budgets are under pressure, owners may continue prioritising the main food component of a dog’s diet while reducing purchases of less essential products. Mid-priced and premium dry food have therefore shown greater resilience than some discretionary categories, although ultra-premium products have experienced modest declines.
Some brands are responding to price sensitivity by introducing more accessible premium ranges. Ziwi Peak and Harim Pet Food are among the companies identified in the report as pursuing this approach. The strategy reflects an effort to retain product differentiation while addressing consumers who are increasingly attentive to the cost of regular feeding.
Pressure on Wet Food, Treats and Mixers
Wet dog food has faced a more difficult demand environment. Its higher cost and position as a less established dietary staple have contributed to declining value sales, with the category projected to record a third consecutive year of decline. Although wet food experienced stronger demand during the COVID-19 period, purchasing patterns have since weakened.
Treats and mixers are also expected to record only marginal growth. These products can be more discretionary than everyday dry food, making them more exposed to changes in household spending. Lower-cost freeze-dried products from China are adding competitive pressure, giving consumers alternatives when comparing prices and product formats.
This divergence between core food and supplementary products illustrates how spending priorities are changing. Owners may continue buying essential nutrition while becoming more selective about additional products. For suppliers, product positioning and price accessibility remain important considerations across different consumer groups.
Ageing Dogs Create Demand for Specialist Nutrition
An ageing dog population is creating opportunities for products designed around specific life-stage and health requirements. Longer pet lifespans, supported by improved veterinary care and greater awareness of animal health, are increasing attention to the nutritional needs of senior dogs. This is particularly relevant for food products intended to support animals experiencing age-related changes.
Soft-type kibble is one area of product development identified in the report. Its increased moisture content can make food easier to chew for older dogs experiencing dental difficulties. Texture and digestibility are therefore relevant considerations when developing products for animals whose feeding requirements may change with age.
Therapeutic and prescription diets also feature in this area of opportunity. Products formulated for dogs with joint, kidney or heart conditions may become more relevant as owners seek nutrition suited to specific health needs. Veterinary involvement is important when selecting diets for diagnosed conditions. The WSAVA nutrition guidelines provide guidance on nutritional assessment and the evaluation of pet foods, supporting informed discussions between owners and veterinary professionals.
Consumer Confidence and Product Information
Consumer trust is another consideration for companies operating in South Korea. The report notes that a mass cat deaths incident in 2024, although not connected to dog food, affected confidence in some domestic pet food brands. Some consumers consequently turned towards international brands, strengthening the position of companies such as Royal Canin while domestic manufacturers faced the challenge of rebuilding confidence.
The episode highlights the importance of product safety, transparent information and dependable quality practices across the wider pet food sector. South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has addressed consumer information through changes to pet food labelling requirements. Its 2024 announcement describes proposed separate labelling standards for dog and cat food, including the introduction of nutritional criteria.
Clear product information can help owners compare food according to nutritional suitability rather than relying only on brand recognition or promotional descriptions. For manufacturers, compliance and consistent quality assurance are relevant to maintaining consumer confidence, particularly when buyers are evaluating domestic and international products.
Competition and Industry Positioning
More than 20 companies are active in South Korea’s dog food industry, while the five largest collectively accounted for approximately 40% of value sales. The leading companies identified by Vyansa Intelligence are Mars Korea Inc, Eagle Vet Teck Co Ltd, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc, Royal Canin Korea and Wooriwa Co Ltd.
Other participants include Natural Core Co Ltd, Harim Pet Food Co Ltd, Cargill Agri Purina Inc, Daejoo Inc and Yuhan Corp. The presence of both international and domestic businesses creates a competitive environment in which brand reputation, product development and price positioning are relevant. Retail channels accounted for 90% of sales in 2025, underlining their importance in connecting manufacturers with consumers.
Outlook Through 2032
South Korea’s dog food industry is expected to develop at a measured pace through 2032. Slow growth in the dog population and household cost pressures may limit expansion in overall consumption, while dry food is likely to retain its central position because of its role in everyday feeding.
At the same time, ageing pets are creating more specialised nutritional requirements. Senior-focused kibble and therapeutic diets offer areas for product development, while consumer confidence and transparent product information remain important to the industry’s long-term development. The balance between affordability, nutritional suitability and trust is likely to remain central to how companies respond to South Korea’s changing pet ownership landscape.
