The Korea tortilla market is poised to exhibit USD 405.3 million in 2025. The industry is slated to depict 8.9% CAGR from 2025 to 2035, witnessing USD 903.2 million by 2035. The industry is growing at a rapid pace because of a number of key drivers. One of the major drivers is the growing demand for international and Western cuisine. With the growth of global food culture, particularly in urban areas such as Seoul, Koreans are increasingly willing to try international foods.
Tortillas, a staple food in Mexican and other Western cultures, are increasingly finding their way into Korean diets, either as tacos, burritos wraps or even fusion food like Korean BBQ wraps. Increased demand for new culinary experiences is opening up a wider consumer base for tortillas.
In addition, the rising popularity of fast-casual dining and convenience offered by ready-to-eat food have fueled the development of the industry. With hectic lives, Koreans are looking for quick but filling food. These products are convenient and easy to make, making them well suited for the fast-casual dining craze.
These products like burritos and quesadillas not only are easy to prepare but can be made to suit various tastes. This ease has contributed to products being popular not only in restaurants but also in home preparation, where pre-prepared products and tortilla items are becoming a staple in grocery stores.
The health-conscious trend in Korean dietary preferences has also supported the industry. With consumers increasingly becoming more concerned with balanced diets and alternative foods, companies are also moving towards healthier alternatives, like whole wheat or gluten-free products. These offerings are responding to the increasing demand for clean-label, healthier foods, which is in line with the trend of greater emphasis on nutrition and wellness in Korean food culture.
Finally, the effect of global food brands and globalization is further opening up tortilla-based foods to consumers. The extensive presence of global food chains and fast-food restaurants serving tortilla-based foods is increasing consumer awareness and preference for the product. All these factors combined are propelling the steady growth of the industry in South Korea.
| Metrics | Values |
|---|---|
| Industry Size (2025E) | USD 405.3 million |
| Industry Value (2035F) | USD 903.2 million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 8.9% |
Explore FMI!
Book a free demo
The Korean industry is facing varied trends and changing buying criteria in different end-use segments, influenced by shifting consumer behavior and lifestyle changes. In the retail industry, convenience and versatility are increasingly in demand. Consumers are buying products for in-home consumption more and more, particularly as they look for easy-to-prepare, customizable meals.
Ready-to-eat products, especially whole wheat and flavored, are gaining popularity because of their perceived health advantages and versatility. Health-conscious consumers are seeking low-calorie, gluten-free, or organic products, which makes these products more attractive to families and individuals concerned with nutrition.
The food service space, especially in fast-casual restaurants and QSRs (Quick Service Restaurants), is also experiencing growth. There is increasing popularity of fusion cuisine, with Korean wraps and Korean burritos becoming popular. Quality, consistency, and price are also fundamental drivers of purchasing decisions in this space.
Restaurants and chains emphasize products that are convenient to handle and compatible with a range of fillings, appealing to both traditional and creative flavors. Growing consumer preference for personalization also supports demand for multiple product sizes and flavors.
In convenience stores and vending machines, single-serve products are gaining popularity owing to growing demand for on-the-go meal options. This segment prizes portability, freshness, and affordability, making products a convenient, quick, and satisfying snack.
Between 2020 and 2024, the Korean industry saw drastic changes because of the influence of shifting consumer needs and the global food trend. One of the main changes has been the increased interest in Western and fusion foods as a result of the influence of foreign fast food companies, food delivery companies, and the surge in globalization. Consequently, tortilla-based items have experienced more demand in food chains, restaurants, and household kitchens.
The industry also saw the advent of low-calorie, whole wheat, and gluten-free products. Demand for convenience also increased, with more Koreans looking for convenient, ready-to-eat meals that are easy to prepare. Retailers, in turn, answered with pre-packaged meal kits and products, meeting the busy life of many consumers.
Looking forward to 2025 to 2035, the Korean industry is set to grow further, stimulated by additional innovation in product lines and extension into new markets. Health and sustainability will be fundamental drivers, with consumers further in pursuit of clean-label and organic choices. Tortilla brands will further bring to industry plant-based and alternate grain products to meet the expanding appetite for plant-based and gluten-free diets.
The trend of fusion cuisine will continue, and products will find even more creative uses in Korean cuisine, combining traditional ingredients with global influences. Moreover, with the increasing need for convenience, the snackable tortilla category can be anticipated to gain traction, with singles-serve formats turning out to be more popular in convenience stores. The future will find products turning out to be part of mainstream everyday eating, ranging from fast food to upscale restaurant fare.
Comparative Industry Shift Analysis (2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035)
| Industry Shift (2020 to 2024) | Industry Shift (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Demand for products grew as Korean consumers increasingly embraced foreign foods, particularly Mexican and fusion foods such as Korean BBQ wraps and tacos made with products. | Products will be a mainstream item in Korean households and restaurants. Additional creative tortilla-based foods will be incorporated into Korean cuisine, combining traditional flavors with global influences. |
| The trend toward healthier consumption resulted in an increase in the demand for gluten-free, whole wheat, and low-calorie products. Consumers were more concerned with nutrition and clean-label foods. | As sustainability becomes increasingly prominent, consumers will look for more plant-based, organic, and environmentally friendly tortilla products. Tortilla manufacturers will launch products from alternative grains and plant-based materials to address these demands. |
| Growth of ready-to-eat meal kits and tortillas for convenient, busy lives was a big trend. Convenient pre-packaged products to prepare meals at home became increasingly available in grocery stores. | Demand for convenient, portable, on-the-go snacks will increase, and the industry will experience growth in single-serve product packaging, which will be readily found in convenience stores and vending machines for fast, healthy meals. |
| Global fast-casual outlets and QSRs featuring tortilla meals such as burritos and wraps fueled more customer awareness and purchasing power. | There will be increased innovation with more flavors, size variation, and content of products to support shifting tastes as well as space requirements for emerging diet restrictions such as gluten-free, low-carb, and protein-rich variations. |
The Korean industry is subject to a number of possible hazards that may impact its growth and stability in both short and long term. One of the main hazards is disruption in the supply chain, particularly in light of the dependency on imported ingredients such as corn and wheat.
Any perturbation in the international supply chain, caused by events like climate change, geopolitics, or pandemics, would result in price volatility and a reduction in product availability. This would influence the cost base for product producers and have the potential to decrease the availability of major ingredients used in the production process, thereby influencing industry dynamics.
There is also a risk of high competition in the food sector, especially since more foreign brands and domestic companies are coming into the industry. Greater competition may reduce prices, compelling companies to struggle with profitability, particularly smaller companies that do not have the ability to spend on branding and marketing.
In addition, consumer tastes change continuously, and any deviation from tortilla products because of a change in dietary patterns or health issues could result in decreased demand. For instance, an unexpected increase in the popularity of other substitute grains or carbohydrate-free diets like keto or paleo diets could be a threat to the growth of the industry.
Finally, economic cycles and consumer spending can drastically affect discretionary foods. During economic recession, consumers tend to opt for less expensive meal options, which might lower purchases of premium or non-essential food products such as tortillas, especially in the retail and food service industries.
The popularity of organic products in Korea is a result of changing consumer attitudes and broader social trends. One of the strongest drivers is increasing health-awareness among Korean consumers. With rising consciousness regarding food ingredients and their possible effect on health, most consumers are looking for products that support their aspirations for cleaner and more natural foods.
Organic products, produced without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), are attractive to consumers seeking healthier, more natural alternatives to conventional food products.
Furthermore, the trend toward sustainability is also a key driver of increasing demand for organic products. South Korean consumers are increasingly focused on environmental concerns, including minimizing carbon footprints and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Organic foods are seen as greener, as they tend to encompass methods that are pro-soil, pro-biodiversity, and less pro-degradation of the environment than those in traditional farming. As being green becomes an increasingly valued concept among customers, products such as organic products whose focus is green-friendly processes become popular.
Fresh products are witnessing growing sales because of the increasing demand for freshness and quality by consumers. Fresh ingredients are highly valued in Korean food culture, and this has carried over to the industry. Fresh products have a better texture and taste than pre-packaged, processed ones, so they are the first choice for home preparation as well as for food preparers.
The warm, pliable, and soft quality of new products makes them so attractive, particularly in foods such as tacos, burritos, and wraps where freshness is integral to obtaining a desired taste and texture. Besides, the requirement for genuine and quality food experiences contributes to the popularity of fresh products.
With the increasing popularity of international and fusion foods in Korea, customers are looking for more authentic, high-quality ingredients that reflect traditional ways of preparation. Fresh products, usually prepared employing traditional production methods with fewer additives, satisfy the requirement for authenticity and workmanship, which processed or packaged products might lack.
The Korean industry is competitive, with major companies emphasizing product innovation, quality, and meeting the varying tastes of consumers. Large firms such as NONGSHIM Co., Ltd., Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, and General Mills are capitalizing on the surge in the demand for products by diversifying their product range to meet the rising demand for Mexican and fusion foods.
These companies focus on flavor variety, high-quality ingredients, and healthy products. Other prominent players like Gruma SAB de CV and Ole Mexican Foods Inc. are important in providing high-quality products and projecting their products as convenience food staples in a rising convenience food industry. Strategic alliances with local retailers and suppliers, combined with a focus on sustainability and clean-label foods, are the main drivers of success in this competitive industry.
| Company Name | Estimated Industry Share (%) |
|---|---|
| NONGSHIM Co., Ltd. | 10-15% |
| Paldo Co., Ltd. | 5-8% |
| Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV | 18-22% |
| General Mills | 12-15% |
| Aranda's Company Inc. | 3-5% |
| Ole Mexican Foods Inc. | 6-9% |
| Easy Foods Inc. | 4-6% |
| Gruma SAB de CV | 15-18% |
| GRUMA | 5-7% |
| La Factory | 3-5% |
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV is the industry leader in the Korean industry through its extensive product portfolio of products, responding to the wide variety of consumers' tastes. The emphasis by the company on innovation and health-oriented options assures its sustained industry leadership.
General Mills, under its Old El Paso brand, is also an industry leader in Korea. The company's focus on flavor innovation, convenience, and simplicity enables it to reach traditional and modern consumers.
NONGSHIM Co., Ltd. is a major domestic player, banking on its established domestic market base and consumer loyalty to diversify its tortilla product lines. It stands well-placed to take advantage of the increasing fusion cuisine trend in Korea.
Ole Mexican Foods Inc. is solidifying its position in the Korean industry by emphasizing real, high-quality products. Strong distribution channels of the company make it a leader in both the foodservice and retail markets.
Gruma SAB de CV holds a leading position in the industry through its provision of quality products to satisfy the needs of Korean consumers who appreciate both authenticity as well as premium ingredients. Being able to supply both retail and foodservice segments positions it as an important player in the expanding industry.
The industry is expected to reach USD 405.3 million in 2025.
The industry is projected to witness USD 903.2 million by 2035.
Organic products are widely sold.
Leading companies include NONGSHIM CO., LTD, Paldo Co., Ltd., Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, General Mills, Aranda's Company Inc., Ole Mexican Foods Inc, Easy Foods Inc., Gruma SAB de CV, GRUMA, and La Factory.
In terms of product type, the industry is divided into corn, flour, tortilla chips, wrap, soup, taco shell, and tostadas.
With respect to nature, the industry is divided into organic and conventional.
By source type, the industry is classified into corn and wheat.
In terms of process type, the industry is divided into fresh and frozen.
With respect to sales channel, the industry is classified into B2B and retail sales.
Regionally, the industry is divided into South Gyeongsang, North Jeolla, South Jeolla, Jeju, and the rest of Korea.
Western Europe Whole-wheat Flour Market Analysis by Product Type, Nature, Application, Packaging, Sales Channel, and Country through 2035
Western Europe Fusion Beverage Market Analysis by Product Type, Distribution Channel, and Country through 2035
Western Europe Pectin Market Analysis by Product Type, Application, and Country Through 2035
Korea Vanilla Bean Market Analysis byDistribution Channel, Form, Nature, Product Variety, and Region Through 2025 to 2035
Western Europe Duckweed Protein Market Analysis by Nature, Species, End Use Application, and Country Through 2035
Korea Shrimp Market Analysis by Species, Source, Form, Sales Channel, Application, and Region Through 2035
Korea Tortilla Market
Thank you!
You will receive an email from our Business Development Manager. Please be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folder too.
