SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — Wheat-based foods continue to gain ground in South Korean diets, with consumption of traditional table rice enduring a slow decline, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture.

In is recent Grain and Feed Update, the FAS pegged South Korea’s milled rice production at 3.52 million tonnes tonnes for marketing year 2026-27, down from 3.54 million tonnes in 2025-26 and a third consecutive year of decline. 

“Rising demand for processing rice, driven by the convenience of instant rice products, continues to replace table rice consumption,” the FAS said. “As a result, per capita rice consumption, which counts table rice only, keeps falling.”

The FAS forecasts consumption of rice that is processed will keep rising and partially offset the decline in table rice consumption for the East Asian nation of 51.6 million people. However, processing demand is not yet large enough to reverse the long-term downward trend in table rice use.

Total rice consumption is projected at 3.83 million tonnes, a slip from 3.89 million tonnes the previous year.

“Changes in eating habits and a growing number of single-person households have pushed consumers toward convenient meals instead of rice cooked at home,” the FAS said. “This shift has raised demand for instant rice (considered a processed rice product) and other home meal replacement (HMR) products.”

Meanwhile, total wheat consumption in 2026-27 is seen ticking up to 3.9 million tonnes from 3.8 million the prior year. Production is a scant 29,000 tonnes, so imports are forecast to climb to 4.6 million tonnes from 4.5 million.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) annual grain policy statistics, nine companies operate 12 flour mills nationwide. Together they can mill about 3.5 million tonnes a year at full capacity based on 300 operating days.

Nongshim, the leading ramyeon manufacturer, is planning to open its new export-dedicated facility in Busan in November. The facility reportedly can produce 500 million packages a year, which equates to about 40,000 tonnes of wheat.

“Total wheat imports will grow further as manufacturers expand instant noodle (ramyeon) production capacity to meet export demand,” the FAS said. “Feed wheat imports are expected to remain stable but below the three-year average, as strong feed corn demand limits wheat substitution.”

For corn 2026-27, the FAS expects total demand to remain strong at 11.46 million tonnes, as feed corn stays price competitive with feed wheat. US corn continues to dominate the South Korean market, reaching an all-time high of 76% of imports in 2025-26 on ample US supplies.

With corn production settling at 94,000 tonnes in 2026-27, South Korea is projected to import 11.2 million tonnes, down a bit from 11.46 million in 2025-26. Feed use drives year-to-year changes in total corn consumption. Food Seed Industrial use stays relatively stable annually at 2 million to 2.3 million tonnes. Feed corn accounts for about 80% of total corn consumption.

Published Date: November 12, 2026