Australia Matcha Market Overview,2030

The Matcha market in South Korea has grown rapidly over the past decade, transitioning from a niche import product to a popular functional beverage and ingredient in cafés, bakeries, and retail. Initially introduced in the early 2010s through Japanese restaurants, specialty tea shops, and high-end cafés, Matcha primarily targeted health-conscious consumers and the urban youth. South Korea’s strong café culture, especially in Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, supported early adoption as cafés incorporated Matcha lattes, smoothies, and desserts into their menus. Social media, particularly Instagram and YouTube, played a critical role in boosting visibility, promoting aesthetically appealing beverages and desserts featuring vibrant green Matcha. Domestic retailers and e-commerce platforms facilitated access to imported ceremonial and culinary-grade Matcha from Japan, while small local manufacturers began producing blended and flavored Matcha products to cater to local taste preferences. By the mid-2010s, Matcha had entered modern retail chains, health stores, and online marketplaces, reflecting both functional food trends and premium lifestyle adoption. Recent years (2022–2025) have seen increased experimentation in RTD beverages, single-serve powders, flavored mixes, and bakery/confectionery applications, aligning with South Korea’s growing wellness and convenience trends. Urban, digitally connected consumers particularly Millennials and Gen Z have become the primary drivers of demand. Today, South Korea represents a mature niche market for Matcha, blending traditional Japanese heritage with local preferences, café culture influence, and a growing health-conscious lifestyle segment.

According to the research report ""South Korea Matcha Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the South Korea Matcha market is expected to reach a market size of USD 411.53 Million by 2030.South Korea’s Matcha market is driven by rising health consciousness, premiumization, convenience, and social-media-driven trends. Drivers include consumer demand for antioxidant-rich, natural energy alternatives to coffee and sweetened beverages, as well as functional ingredients supporting mental focus, metabolism, and wellness. The country’s strong café culture and high urbanization rates accelerate adoption of Matcha beverages, desserts, and bakery items. Opportunities exist in ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, flavored powders, single-serve sachets, and functional food collaborations, particularly within health and wellness-focused cafés, e-commerce, and modern retail chains. Cosmetic and personal care applications also offer growth potential, as Matcha’s antioxidant properties are leveraged in skincare products, masks, and serums. Challenges and restraints include high import costs of premium Japanese Matcha, low domestic production, and consumer price sensitivity for premium grades. Quality perception can also be affected by adulterated or low-grade green tea powders marketed as Matcha. Trends include the premiumization of imported ceremonial Matcha, sustainability and organic certification, seasonal and flavored product innovations, and the use of local ingredients to adapt flavor profiles to Korean preferences (e.g., combining Matcha with yuzu or black sesame). Cross-category collaborations between cafés, bakeries, and lifestyle brands enhance visibility. Overall, South Korea’s Matcha market is experiencing steady growth, supported by lifestyle adoption, functional positioning, and digital marketing, while remaining concentrated in urban, premium, and health-conscious consumer segments.

The South Korean Matcha market is segmented into Regular (unflavored) and Flavored products. Regular Matcha consists of pure, high-quality Japanese or locally blended powders used for traditional tea preparation, smoothies, lattes, and culinary applications. It appeals primarily to purists, café operators, and wellness-focused consumers seeking authenticity, antioxidant benefits, and ceremonial preparation experience. Retail channels include specialty tea shops, high-end cafés, e-commerce platforms, and premium retail stores. Traceability, harvest origin, and grading are key selling points. Flavored Matcha is increasingly popular, especially among younger demographics and consumers seeking approachable taste profiles. Flavored variants include vanilla, chocolate, berries, black sesame, and seasonal fruit blends, often used in café beverages, RTD drinks, and desserts. Single-serve sachets and pre-mixed beverages enhance convenience for office workers and students. Flavored Matcha supports trial, repeat purchases, and daily consumption, while Regular Matcha maintains premium and ceremonial positioning. Together, these product types enable the South Korean market to balance authenticity with accessibility, catering to both purist tea drinkers and trend-driven consumers influenced by social media and lifestyle cafés. The combination also supports growth in urban and digitally connected segments.

The South Korean Matcha market by form is divided into Powder and Liquid. Powdered Matcha remains the dominant format due to its versatility in tea preparation, café beverages, smoothies, baking, desserts, and culinary applications. Powder is typically sold in tins, resealable pouches, or single-serve sachets through specialty retailers, e-commerce, and high-end cafés. Powdered Matcha allows precise control over flavor intensity, texture, and quality, which is essential for premium applications. Liquid Matcha, encompassing ready-to-drink (RTD) bottles, pre-mixed lattes, and chilled beverages, has gained traction recently, driven by convenience culture and on-the-go consumption. RTD products are available in cafés, convenience stores, supermarkets, and online platforms. Liquid formats are often fortified with functional ingredients such as collagen, protein, or vitamins and sometimes blended with milk alternatives. While powdered Matcha sustains traditional, premium, and culinary applications, liquid forms drive mainstream trial, daily consumption, and urban visibility. Recent innovations include shelf-stable, flavored RTD beverages and single-serve liquid sticks, catering to the fast-paced urban lifestyle. Together, powder and liquid formats balance authenticity and convenience, expanding adoption across South Korea’s café, retail, and e-commerce ecosystems.

South Korea’s Matcha market is segmented into Ceremonial, Classic (Premium/Latte), and Culinary grades. Ceremonial Grade Matcha is the highest-quality product, typically imported from Japan, made from the youngest shaded leaves and finely stone-milled. It features vivid green color, smooth umami, and minimal bitterness. Ceremonial Matcha is consumed in traditional tea preparation, specialty cafés, and wellness-oriented contexts, often commanding premium pricing. Classic Grade (Latte/Premium) balances taste and cost, suitable for everyday beverages such as lattes, smoothies, and café menus. It targets urban consumers seeking health benefits with a palatable flavor profile. Culinary Grade Matcha is designed for baking, desserts, ice creams, and functional food applications, offering stronger flavor and heat stability. Culinary-grade products are used extensively in patisseries, bakery chains, and cafés experimenting with Matcha-infused desserts. Grading ensures clear differentiation in pricing, flavor, and applications, educating consumers and enabling premium positioning. Recent trends include seasonal limited-edition offerings, flavored blends within culinary and classic grades, and RTD innovations highlighting grade and origin. The presence of all three grades allows South Korea to cater to purists, lifestyle consumers, and culinary innovators, supporting both value growth and volume expansion.

Matcha applications in South Korea span Regular Tea, Matcha Beverages, Food, Personal Care, and Other categories. Regular Tea remains central for ceremonial preparation and health-conscious consumers seeking antioxidant benefits, focus support, and ritualistic tea experiences. Matcha Beverages including lattes, RTD drinks, smoothies, and café specials are the fastest-growing segment, driven by urban café culture and convenience-oriented consumers. These products also leverage functional ingredients, such as collagen, vitamins, and plant-based milk alternatives. Food applications include baked goods, ice cream, chocolates, desserts, and fusion pastries, often combined with local flavors like black sesame, sweet potato, or chestnut, aligning with domestic taste preferences. Personal Care applications are emerging, with Matcha incorporated into face masks, serums, and antioxidant skincare products targeting wellness-conscious consumers. Other applications include nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, functional bars, and wellness kits. Recent trends emphasize convenience (single-serve sachets, RTD beverages), flavored variants, cross-industry collaborations, and social-media-driven product launches that promote visually appealing consumption. Sustainability, traceable sourcing, and premium positioning are increasingly highlighted by brands. Overall, South Korea’s Matcha market is niche but growing steadily, blending traditional tea heritage with modern lifestyle adoption, functional beverages, and innovation-led applications that appeal to urban, digitally connected consumers.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Matcha 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 Product Type
• Regular
• Flavored

By Form
• Powder
• Liquid

By Grade
• Ceremonial Grade
• Classic Grade
• Culinary Grade

By Application
• Regular Tea
• Matcha Beverages
• Food
• Personal Care
• Others Show more