South Koreans' rice consumption fell to a record low in 2025, highlighting ongoing changes in diets and eating habits. Per capita intake stood at 62.5 kilograms, the lowest level since data collection began in 1962.
Government data revealed that South Korea's per capita rice consumption dropped to 62.5 kilograms in 2025, a 3 percent decline or 1.9 kilograms from the previous year. This marks the lowest figure since the Ministry of Data and Statistics began tracking in 1962.
Rice has long been a staple for Koreans, but its intake has steadily fallen due to evolving diets and a growing preference for alternatives like wheat flour. The 2025 level is half of the 117.9 kilograms recorded 30 years earlier in 1995.
Despite the overall downturn, rice usage by food and beverage manufacturers rose 6.7 percent year-on-year to 931,201 tons. This uptick suggests sustained demand in processed products.
The trend underscores broader societal shifts, including urbanization and Western influences on eating habits. Policymakers may need to reassess agricultural strategies to address declining rice reliance, as reflected in the latest statistics.
