Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormGreen (unroasted) bean
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
South Korea has no meaningful domestic coffee cultivation and relies on imports of green (unroasted) coffee beans for roasting and consumption. UN Comtrade trade data (via WITS) shows Brazil and Colombia as leading suppliers of HS 090111 (coffee, not roasted or decaffeinated) to Korea in 2024, with Guatemala, Peru and Honduras also significant. Market access is shaped by Korea Customs import declaration procedures (UNI-PASS), plant quarantine controls under APQA, and imported-food safety management under MFDS, including contaminant limits such as ochratoxin A for coffee beans. Overall, South Korea functions as an import-dependent consumer and roasting market rather than a producer/exporter market for coffee beans.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and roasting market (net importer)
Domestic RoleImports supply domestic roasting, packaging, retail and foodservice consumption.
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityYear-round availability via imports; no domestic harvest season.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Clean, dry, pest-free shipments are critical for smooth quarantine clearance and quality preservation during sea transport.
Compositional Metrics- Ochratoxin A: MFDS sets a maximum level for coffee beans and roasted coffee of not more than 5 µg/kg.
Packaging- Importer specifications commonly emphasize moisture/odor protection and pest control for bulk containerized shipments.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin processing/packing → export port → sea container shipment → Korea port arrival → plant quarantine inspection (APQA) → import food declaration/inspection as applicable (MFDS) → customs clearance (KCS/UNI-PASS) → domestic roasting/packing → distribution
Temperature- No cold chain is typically required for green coffee beans; risk management focuses on keeping cargo dry and avoiding condensation in containers.
Shelf Life- Extended transit/warehousing with humidity exposure raises mold/quality-degradation risk; inventory rotation and packaging specs are common mitigations.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighPlant quarantine non-compliance (e.g., missing/invalid phytosanitary certificate where required, or detection of quarantine pests/contamination) can cause detention, treatment requirements, delays, or refusal at entry, disrupting supply to roasters.Align pre-shipment documentation to APQA/KCS requirements (including phytosanitary certificate where applicable), use approved suppliers with strong pre-shipment inspection and cleanliness controls, and run document checks before vessel arrival.
Food Safety MediumMFDS contaminant non-compliance—particularly ochratoxin A exceeding the Korean standard for coffee beans/roasted coffee—can trigger intensified inspection, delays, or rejection.Implement supplier monitoring and lot testing plans for mycotoxins (including ochratoxin A) and maintain documentation to support MFDS inspection outcomes.
Logistics MediumOcean freight disruption and container delays can raise landed cost and extend lead times for green coffee imports, creating stockout risk for roasters with tight inventory cycles.Diversify origins and forwarder options, book capacity early, and hold buffer inventory for high-rotation SKUs.
Sustainability- Climate change-driven supply volatility in origin countries can impact availability and procurement costs for imported green coffee.
- Deforestation and biodiversity impacts in some coffee-producing regions (origin-country risk) can create ESG and customer-audit scrutiny for importers/roasters.
Labor & Social- Origin-country labor rights and child/forced labor risks in some coffee supply chains can create reputational and buyer-compliance risk for imported green coffee.
FAQ
Which countries are the main suppliers of green (unroasted) coffee beans to South Korea?UN Comtrade trade data via WITS (HS 090111, 2024) shows Brazil and Colombia as the top exporters of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to South Korea, followed by Guatemala, Peru and Honduras.
Is a phytosanitary certificate relevant when importing coffee beans into South Korea?APQA plant quarantine rules state that importing plants or plant products should be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s government authority (with stated exceptions). Importers should confirm how their specific coffee-bean shipment is handled under quarantine classification and prepare documents accordingly.
What is South Korea’s ochratoxin A standard for coffee beans?MFDS food standards (Common Standards & Specifications for General Foods) list an ochratoxin A maximum level of not more than 5 µg/kg for coffee beans and roasted coffee.