South Korea Monosodium Glutamate Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

The South Korea monosodium glutamate market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.10% between 2025 and 2034. The changing perception of consumers is boosting its demand, especially in the food processing and cosmetics industry. The growing demand for processed meats is also driving its demand in the market.

Key Trends in the South Korea Monosodium Glutamate Market

Glutamate is created when maize, bacteria, or sugarcane are broken down and converted into smaller bits. Fish, meats, nuts, tomatoes, mushrooms, seaweed, and the majority of dairy products all contain glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid that is also present in the human body. The outcome is a white crystal, which is subsequently combined with salt to produce monosodium glutamate or MSG.

Wide Usage of Monosodium Glutamate as a Flavour Enhancer is Boosting its Demand in the Country

In order to make items like cheeses, sauces, meat and dairy products, and baked goods, monosodium glutamate is utilised as a flavour enhancer and in food additives, which is bending the market success curve exponentially. These factors, together with the fact that monosodium glutamate is used to make milk products last longer on the shelf, are what causing the monosodium glutamate market to grow. Monosodium glutamate is highly demanded by food service industries, food processors, and the retail sector for the manufacture and production of packaged meals, instant functional foods, and soups, which is fueling market expansion over the anticipated period.

The Ongoing Research is Improving the Image of Monosodium Glutamate in the Food Industry, which is Bolstering its Market in South Korea

MSG is becoming increasingly popular with the general population owing to the ongoing work of academics and scientists over the past few years. About two decades ago, numerous businesses began promoting the lack of MSG in their products in an effort to project an image of being chemical-free and gain market dominance. This grew the notion that MSG was dangerous. There have been several reports of MSG-related obesity, headaches, or indigestion. MSG is a safe food ingredient, according to the local Food Safety Ministry, which doesn't even include a daily intake recommendation. There are daily intake recommendations for salt and sugar, which are frequently used in cooking.

The High Demand for Processed and Ready-to-Eat Food Items is Leading to the Expansion of the Monosodium Glutamate Industry in South Korea

Due to MSG's extensive use in the production of processed foods, monosodium glutamate volume has skyrocketed. Another significant reason driving both production and demand of MSG is a rise in the consumption of prepared foods and other processed meals. These days, the Ready-to-eat and Ready-to-cook food industries are open to many huge corporations and new-age producers since customers are time-constrained and want to buy simple, fast and easily available items. In order to generate such pre-cooked ready-to-eat meals and associated possibilities in the Market, key companies have started to enter further into potential prospects of the food industry. They are doing this by fostering innovation, adapting to quality measures, and boosting usability.

Market Segmentation

The report titled “South Korea Monosodium Glutamate Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Source

• Sugar Cane or Molasses
• Tomatoes
• Cheese
• Others

Market Breakup by Application

• Additives
• Preservatives
• Flavor Enhancers
• Acidity Regulators
• Others

Market Breakup by End-Use

• Food Processing
• Medical or Pharmaceutical
• Livestock
• Cosmetic
• Others

Market Share by Source

Based on sources, cheese, tomatoes, sugarcane, or molasses, among others, are all the sources from which MSG is extracted. With increased consumer awareness that monosodium glutamate is not harmful to health, its market has been greatly impacted positively, and to meet the rising demand, all segments are expected to secure a considerable share of the market. The continuous research and development work by researchers and academicians in the field is greatly helping in improving the image and breaking myths regarding monosodium glutamate among the general public.

Market Share by Application

Over the course of the projection period, it is anticipated that the country's rising meat consumption will raise demand for monosodium glutamate, a substance used in animal feed. Additionally, it is anticipated that the livestock segment would grow during the projection period due to increased per capita income in the country and a growing preference for frozen meat products, especially among the working population. Moreover, factors like the improved and easy accessibility of ready-to-eat and processed food items have greatly increased the market for preservatives, additives, acidity regulators, and flavour enhancer segments, which ultimately proliferate the monosodium glutamate (MSG) market in South Korea.

Market Share by End-Use

In the food processing sector, MSG-containing meals are becoming more and more well-liked because consumers believe they are more savoury and appetising than dishes without MSG. This factor has helped this segment secure a significant share of the market.

MSG, often known as monosodium glutamate, is sodium 2-aminopentanedioate. It is essentially the sodium salt of glutamic acid, an amino acid that occurs naturally. The molecular formula for it is C5H8NO4Na. MSG is produced commercially by fermenting a suitable sugar source with the intention of using it as a medicinal excipient. Moreover, MSG is used to treat free glutamic acid that has been released from proteins during the production of many cosmetics and other related goods. MSG has also been used in vaccinations as a stabiliser and preservative to keep vaccines potent over a wide range of temperatures and shelf lives. The demand among these and several other end-users bolsters the market for monosodium glutamate in South Korea.

Competitive Landscape

The comprehensive report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter's five forces model along with giving a SWOT analysis. The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the South Korea monosodium glutamate market, covering their competitive landscape and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, investments and expansion plans.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc

Producing meals, bioscience fine chemicals, medicines, and health items are the company's main areas of concentration. It conducts research, develops, and produces sauces and seasonings and offers quick-nourishment items such as Knorr cup soup, coffee beverages, bakery, processed, edible oil, frozen, and amino acid products for food and medicines, among others. Additionally, Ajinomoto offers speciality chemicals, functional materials, and biopharma services. Under the brand names amino VITAL, AJI-NO-MOTO, Birdy, HON-DASHI, Cook Do, AjiPro, Knorr, Blendy, Masako, and Glyna, the corporation sells its goods. Its goods are used in the restaurant and catering sectors. The corporation has activities in Africa, the USA, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The headquarters of Ajinomoto is in Tokyo, Japan.

COFCO International

Since its founding in 1949, COFCO Corporation (COFCO) has dominated China's agricultural and food sectors. It is also one of the largest agri-product merchants globally, with a fully integrated value chain. Agri-products are the centre of COFCO's primary business, with a particular emphasis on grain, oil, sugar, cotton, meat, and dairy products. Three other important auxiliary industries are food, finance, and real estate.

COFCO has RMB 686.0 billion in total assets as of the end of 2021, RMB 664.9 billion in total operating revenue, and RMB 23.8 billion in total profit. On a global scale, COFCO has been proactively developing international markets and enhancing G&O logistics and storage capacity globally to guarantee a reliable international supply chain.

Other key players in the South Korea Monosodium Glutamate Market are CJ CheilJedang Corp, Daesang Corporation, among others.