Rice consumption in S.Korea hits record low in 2022

Last year, per-person annual rice consumption in South Korea fell by half from 30 years ago, marking a record low.

According to the results of the 2022 Grain Consumption Survey released by Statistics Korea on Friday, annual per-capita rice consumption averaged 56.7 kg last year, down by 0.2 kg (-0.4%) from the year previous.

Meanwhile, this is only half of the consumption (112.9 kg) 30 years ago in 1992.

As a result, per-capita rice consumption has again reached an all-time low since 1962, when grain consumption figures began to be compiled. Annual per-head consumption of grain (rice and other grains) was 64.7 kg, which was down by 0.3 kg (-0.5%) from the previous year, again recording the lowest level since the statistics were compiled.

On the other hand, rice consumption in the food and beverage processing sector was 691,422 tons, up 1.7% from 2021.

In particular, rice consumption in the processed and cooked food manufacturing industry, which produces semi-cooked foods such as retort pouch food, frozen food and microwavable rice, increased by 27.2%, the highest level among all segments.

Write to Byung-Uk Do at dodo@hankyung.com