infant formula Suppliers & Prices in South Korea — Market Overview 2026
Parent Product
Milk Powder
HS Code
190110
Last Updated
2026-08-23
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- 5 export partner countries and 5 import partner countries are ranked.
- Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2024.
- Page data last updated on 2026-08-23.
infant formula Export Supplier & Manufacturer Intelligence, Price Trends, and Trade Flows in South Korea
Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to validate infant formula exporter coverage, partner quality, and route priorities in South Korea.
Annual Export Value, Volume, and Supplier Market Size for infant formula in South Korea (HS Code 190110)
Analyze 3 years of infant formula export volume and value in South Korea to evaluate supplier market growth, seasonality, and trade volatility.
| Year | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6,748,353 | 84,168,516 USD |
| 2023 | 6,500,400 | 78,401,175 USD |
| 2022 | 9,649,526 | 108,543,691 USD |
Top Destination Markets for infant formula Exports from South Korea (HS Code 190110) in 2024
For 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 5 destination countries for infant formula exports from South Korea.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 3,628,341 | 48,643,624 USD |
| 2 | Cambodia | 1,543,011.4 | 15,620,848 USD |
| 3 | Vietnam | 969,430.8 | 15,588,484 USD |
| 4 | Mongolia | 238,368.5 | 880,516 USD |
| 5 | United States | 4,274.394 | 661,108 USD |
Sourcing diagnosis
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infant formula Import Buyer Intelligence and Price Signals in South Korea: Buyers, Demand, and Trade Partners
2 import partner companies are tracked for infant formula in South Korea. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to analyze buyer demand, partner density, and downstream channels.
Scatter points are sampled from 76.5% of the full transaction dataset.
Sample Import Transaction and Price Records for infant formula in South Korea
5 sampled infant formula import transactions in South Korea provide date, origin, and trade-country context to benchmark price levels and demand-side trading patterns.
infant formula sampled import transaction unit prices by date in South Korea: 2026-08-13: 14.97 USD / kg, 2026-08-12: 16.82 USD / kg, 2026-08-12: 16.82 USD / kg, 2026-08-12: 16.82 USD / kg, 2026-07-27: 16.82 USD / kg.
| Date | Reported Product | Unit Price | Exporter | Importer | Origin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-13 | [성장** **** ** *** ** ********** ******* ********* ******* * | 14.97 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2026-08-12 | [영아* **** *** **** ***** ************** **** ****** **** ******* ********* * | 16.82 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2026-08-12 | [영아* **** *** **** ***** ************** **** ****** **** ******* ********* * | 16.82 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2026-08-12 | [영아* **** *** **** ***** ************** **** ****** **** ******* ********* * | 16.82 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2026-07-27 | [영아* **** *** **** ***** ************** **** ****** **** ******* ********* * | 16.82 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - |
Top infant formula Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners in South Korea
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them with 2 total import partner companies tracked for infant formula in South Korea. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate demand-side partner fit.
(South Korea)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-07-23
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(South Korea)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-07-23
Industries: Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Food Manufacturing
South Korea Import Partner Coverage
2 companies
Import partner company count highlights demand-side visibility for infant formula in South Korea.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active infant formula importers, distributors, and buyer networks in South Korea.
Annual Import Value, Volume, and Demand Size for infant formula in South Korea (HS Code 190110)
Track 3 years of infant formula import volume and value in South Korea to assess demand growth and market momentum.
| Year | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,728,537 | 90,426,342 USD |
| 2023 | 5,685,618 | 107,508,275 USD |
| 2022 | 5,460,546 | 98,279,949 USD |
Top Origin Supplier Countries Supplying infant formula to South Korea (HS Code 190110) in 2024
For 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 5 origin supplier countries supplying infant formula to South Korea.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 2,202,544 | 45,992,151 USD |
| 2 | New Zealand | 960,973.2 | 17,616,979 USD |
| 3 | Australia | 381,704.13 | 6,136,756 USD |
| 4 | Netherlands | 207,160.8 | 5,326,174 USD |
| 5 | Ireland | 240,738.04 | 4,530,987 USD |
Export diagnosis
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Price data
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Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormPowdered (primary) / Liquid (RTD)
Industry PositionConsumer Packaged Food (Infant Nutrition)
Market
Infant formula in South Korea is a tightly regulated infant-and-toddler nutrition category with both domestic brands and imported products subject to MFDS oversight across import clearance and distribution. MFDS standards for infant formula include process hygiene expectations (pasteurization/sterilization) and powder-specific packaging/quality requirements, alongside microbiological criteria for vulnerable infant stages. The competitive set includes major domestic producers such as Namyang (IMPERIAL DREAM XO), Maeil (Absolute), and Ildong Foodis (e.g., True Mom / Sanyang Formula Milk), with product differentiation around digestion/absorption positioning and special-needs formulas. Market access risk is driven primarily by food-safety non-compliance (notably Cronobacter/Enterobacter sakazakii criteria for certain powdered infant formula), plus pre-import foreign facility registration and inspection/traceability obligations managed by MFDS.
Market RoleDomestic consumer market with both domestic production and imports (strictly regulated import market)
Domestic RoleInfant and toddler nutrition product category supplied by major Korean dairy/infant-nutrition companies and importers under MFDS oversight
Market Growth
Specification
Physical Attributes
- Powder products are subject to packaging expectations such as filling with nitrogen gas under MFDS standards.
- Stick/sachet and can/tin formats are present in branded retail offerings (e.g., stick variants under certain brands).
Compositional Metrics
- MFDS standards for infant formula include a protein amino-acid score requirement (minimum specified in the Food Code).
Packaging
- Nitrogen-flushed packaging for dried (powder) infant formula under MFDS standards
- Retail-ready tins/cans and stick packs used in Korean brand portfolios
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Ingredient sourcing (milk-derived and/or permitted alternatives, depending on formula type) → nutrient fortification/blending → pasteurization/sterilization controls → powder finishing and nitrogen filling (for dried products) → retail packaging → MFDS import clearance (for imports) → domestic distribution/traceability and market surveillance
Temperature
- Unlike fresh dairy, infant formula is shelf-stable but is sensitive to storage conditions; importers should protect against temperature abuse and humidity to preserve product integrity and label claims.
Atmosphere Control
- Powdered infant formula packaging may use nitrogen filling under MFDS standards for dried products; packaging integrity is critical for moisture/oxidation control.
Shelf Life
- Shelf-life is strongly dependent on packaging integrity (seal damage) and proper storage after opening, which are typically addressed via labeling and consumer-use directions.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighPowdered infant formula non-compliance on microbiological criteria—especially Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter) requirements for products intended for infants under 6 months—can trigger border rejection, recall, or import suspension in Korea.Implement strict environmental monitoring and finished-product microbiological release testing aligned to MFDS criteria; ensure robust traceability and rapid recall readiness for Korea distribution.
Regulatory Compliance HighFailure to complete MFDS-required overseas/foreign manufacturing facility registration before import declaration can cause import declaration rejection and disrupt market entry timelines.Confirm MFDS foreign facility registration status (and renewal validity) in advance; align importer’s MFDS filings with exact facility name/address/product scope used on shipping and clearance documents.
Regulatory Compliance MediumLabeling/nutrition labeling non-compliance (e.g., missing required label elements or incorrect nutrition panel presentation for regulated categories such as milk formulas/processed milk products) can cause clearance delays, re-labeling orders, or enforcement action.Conduct a pre-import label compliance review against MFDS food labeling/nutrition labeling requirements and maintain version-controlled Korean label artwork approvals.
Ethical Marketing MediumInstitutional channel practices (e.g., inducements or exclusivity-linked benefits to hospitals/postpartum care centers) have been subject to Korea Fair Trade Commission enforcement in the infant formula sector, creating reputational and legal risk for brands and distributors.Adopt a documented compliance program prohibiting inducements tied to exclusive usage; ensure channel marketing is compliant with KFTC rules and auditable.
Logistics MediumFreight-rate volatility and shipping disruptions can raise landed costs for imported finished formula, impacting price competitiveness and availability in a promotion-driven retail environment.Use multi-month freight contracting or diversified routing; maintain safety stock for high-velocity SKUs and align promotional calendars with supply assurance.
Sustainability
- Premium positioning and sustainability/health-oriented branding exists in the category (e.g., LOHAS-related certifications cited by at least one major domestic producer group for certain formula lines), which can raise buyer expectations for substantiation of claims and certifications.
Labor & Social
- Ethical marketing and fair-competition compliance risk: Korea’s competition authority has sanctioned infant formula firms for inducements/rebates tied to maternity hospitals and postpartum care centers, creating heightened scrutiny on institutional channel practices.
FAQ
What is the main food-safety deal-breaker risk for importing powdered infant formula into South Korea?The biggest trade-blocking risk is microbiological non-compliance—particularly Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter) criteria for powdered infant formula intended for infants under 6 months—because failure can lead to rejection at import inspection, recalls, or suspension of imports.
What must a foreign manufacturer or importer do before filing an import declaration for infant formula in South Korea?MFDS requires foreign food facility/overseas manufacturing facility registration to be completed before the import declaration; MFDS guidance notes that if pre-registration is not done, the import declaration can be rejected. Registration is handled through the Imported Food Information Maru system.
Are there MFDS manufacturing expectations that are especially relevant for powdered infant formula?Yes. MFDS standards for infant formula include requirements to properly pasteurize or sterilize to prevent microorganism contamination, and for dried (powder) products to be filled with nitrogen gas, alongside additional compositional and microbiological specifications.
Sources
Other infant formula Country Markets for Supplier, Manufacturer, Export, and Price Comparison from South Korea
Compare infant formula supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks across countries related to South Korea.
Free diagnosis
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Related infant formula Product Categories
Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to infant formula.
Parent product: Milk Powder
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