South Korea Aqua Feed Market Overview, 2031

South Korea Aqua Feed Market Analysis by Industry Research

The aqua feed landscape across South Korea has developed around high-value marine fish farming, particularly olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus, known as gwang-eo or nuchi), which accounts for the majority of the country's aquaculture production value, anticipated to grow at 8.10% CAGR from 2026 to 2031 along with other species including rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus), black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii), red seabream (Pagrus major), and Japanese flounder, with fish farming concentrated in cage systems along the southern and western coasts as well as on Jeju Island. According to the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), South Korea produces approximately 1.5 million metric tons of aquaculture products annually, with marine finfish representing the highest value, followed by shellfish (oysters, mussels, abalone) and seaweed (kelp, nori) that require no formulated feeds, and feed costs representing 50-70% of production expenses for marine fish farming operations. The regulatory environment for aqua feed involves the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries overseeing aquaculture development and feed safety policies, the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) conducting feed research and setting quality standards, and local provincial governments in major aquaculture regions including Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province enforcing regulations.

South Korean market has seen continuous improvement in feed formulations to reduce fishmeal inclusion while maintaining growth performance and flesh quality, with research into alternative proteins including soybean meal, corn gluten meal, insect meal, and fermented plant proteins progressing steadily. The supply chain for aqua feed ingredients involves domestic fishmeal production from Korean reduction fisheries, soybean meal imports from Brazil, Argentina, and the United States, corn and wheat byproducts from imports, and fish oil from domestic and imported sources. Recent research has focused on developing olive flounder feeds with reduced fishmeal inclusion using plant proteins and functional additives. For top management at aqua feed companies, strategic priorities include reducing fishmeal dependence through alternative protein research, developing species-specific formulations for olive flounder and rock bream, supporting recirculating aquaculture system adoption for marine fish, and developing functional feeds for disease prevention. Key variables to watch through the forecast period include domestic fishmeal availability from Korean reduction fisheries, consumer demand for premium Korean aquaculture products such as Jeju olive flounder, and competition from imported seafood from China, Japan, and Norway. PESTEL factors include fishery quotas affecting domestic fishmeal supply (political), high production costs requiring premium pricing (economic), strong consumer preference for domestic seafood (social), advanced nutrition research at NIFS and universities (technological), climate change affecting sea temperatures and algal blooms (environmental), and food safety regulations (legal).

South Korea Aqua Feed Market Dynamics

Drivers

High-value olive flounder farming as dominant aquaculture sector: Olive flounder is the most valuable aquaculture species in South Korea, with production concentrated in Jeju Island (which produces over 50% of total olive flounder), Jeollanam-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do, with farms using coastal cage systems and increasingly recirculating aquaculture systems. Olive flounder feeds require 50-55% protein, among the highest in aqua feeds, formulated with specific amino acid profiles for this carnivorous flatfish, and feeds must be sinking pellets.
Recirculating aquaculture system adoption for marine fish: South Korea has invested in RAS technology for marine fish farming, particularly on Jeju Island where environmental regulations limit waste discharge from coastal cage farms. RAS operations require specialized feeds with high digestibility to maintain water quality and reduce waste output.

Challenges

Limited domestic fishmeal supply from Korean reduction fisheries: South Korea's reduction fisheries for anchovy, mackerel, and other species face quota restrictions and competition from direct human consumption. Domestic fishmeal production is insufficient for Korean aqua feed demand, requiring imports from Peru, Chile, and other sources. Fishmeal price volatility affects feed costs.
High production costs competing with imported seafood: Korean farmed fish must compete with lower-cost imports from China, Japan, Norway, and other countries. High feed costs are a significant component of Korea's higher production costs. Feed efficiency improvements are critical for maintaining competitiveness.

Trends

Alternative protein research for olive flounder feeds: NIFS and Korean universities are developing soybean meal, corn gluten meal, insect meal, and fermented plant proteins for olive flounder feeds, aiming to reduce fishmeal inclusion while maintaining growth performance. Fermented soy products show improved digestibility.
Functional feeds for disease prevention in warm-water marine fish: South Korea's coastal cage farms face disease challenges from bacterial and viral pathogens including edwardsiellosis, streptococcosis, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHSV). Functional feeds containing immunostimulants, probiotics, and plant extracts support fish health and reduce antibiotic use.

Segment Analysis

Fish segment leads as the largest species category in South Korea, with olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) production exceeding 40,000 metric tons annually from cage farms in Jeju Island, Jeollanam-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do.

The fish segment dominates South Korean aqua feed markets because olive flounder is the country's most valuable marine finfish species, producing over 40,000 metric tons annually from coastal cage farms and recirculating aquaculture systems, each requiring 1.5-2.0 kilograms of formulated feed per kilogram of fish produced, with feeds containing 50-55% protein.
The crustaceans segment in South Korea includes fleshy prawn (Penaeus chinensis) production and other shrimp species, representing a small but developing segment with feed formulations imported or produced by domestic manufacturers.
Other species include abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) production, which is significant in South Korea particularly on Jeju Island and in Wando, requiring specialized feeds with protein levels of 25-30% and specific seaweed content as abalone are herbivorous grazers that naturally feed on kelp and other seaweeds.

Fish meal remains the largest protein ingredient segment in Korean aqua feeds due to the high protein requirements of olive flounder and other marine fish, though inclusion rates have declined from over 55% to 35-45% as research on plant proteins advances.

Fish meal remains prominent in Korean aqua feeds because olive flounder require very high protein levels and specific amino acid profiles that plant proteins cannot provide efficiently.
Soybean meal is used in marine fish feeds at inclusion rates of 10-20%, with fermented soy products showing improved digestibility for olive flounder. Soybean meal is imported from Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.
Corn and corn byproducts including corn gluten meal are used as protein sources and binders in extruded feeds.
Fish oil is essential for marine fish feeds, supporting omega-3 requirements for growth, health, and flesh quality. Additives including carotenoid pigments, amino acids, and functional components represent high-value segments.

Dry feed is the largest and most widely used form in South Korea, with extruded sinking pellets developed for olive flounder and other marine fish that feed on or near the bottom, with species-specific pellet sizes and densities for flatfish feeding behavior.

Dry feed dominates the South Korean aqua feed market because extruded sinking pellets offer precise nutrient control and water stability for bottom-feeding fish. Sinking pellets are used for olive flounder, which feed on the tank or cage bottom, requiring pellets that sink rapidly and maintain water stability for extended periods.
Wet feed has limited application, primarily for broodstock conditioning and specialized hatchery applications. Moist feed serves niche applications for larval stages in hatcheries.

Grower feed is the largest feed stage segment in South Korea, as olive flounder require 12-18 months to reach market size from juvenile, rock bream require 12-18 months, and other marine fish require similar or longer grow-out periods.

Grower feed dominates the South Korean aqua feed market because this production phase covers the longest period of the production cycle for all marine species and accounts for over 70% of total feed volume and cost. Grower formulations balance high protein for growth with cost-effectiveness.
Starter feed for larvae and juvenile fish is more expensive due to higher protein content exceeding 55% and fine particle sizes.
Finisher feed is formulated for the final weeks before harvest, optimizing flesh quality, fat content, and coloration. Brooder feed for broodstock is a small-volume specialized segment.

The South Korea aqua feed market is characterized by high-value olive flounder production requiring very high protein feeds. Fish meal inclusion rates remain higher than other countries due to olive flounder's specific nutritional requirements, though alternative protein research is advancing. Recirculating aquaculture system expansion on Jeju Island and other regions will drive demand for RAS-optimized feeds. Functional feeds for disease prevention are important for summer production. Strong consumer preference for domestic seafood supports premium pricing.





Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2020
• Base year: 2025
• Estimated year: 2026
• Forecast year: 2031

Aspects covered in this report
•Aqua Feed Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Species
• Fish
• Crustaceans
• Other



By Ingredient
• Soybean
• Fish Meal
• Corn
• Fish Oil
• Additives
• Other Ingredients

By Form
• Dry
• Wet
• Moist

By Feed Stage
• Grower Feed
• Finisher Feed
• Starter Feed
• Brooder Feed