As Korea's frozen dessert market stalls, Europe is emerging as a new growth destination. As exports of ice cream to Europe expand, Korea's frozen dessert industry is pushing into the local market with plant-based products at the forefront. While responding to the European Union's stringent dairy regulations, companies are securing growth momentum.
On the 14th, according to Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (KATI), Korea's exports of ice cream and frozen desserts to the European Union rose from $182,700 (Hanwha about 278 million won) in 2020 to $3,449,500 (about 5.26 billion won) in 2025, up about 19 times. Over the same period, export volume increased more than 20-fold, from 48.7 tons (t) to 985.2 t.
The reason the European market is drawing attention is that the growth limits of the domestic market have become clear. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), Korea's retail ice cream market shrank from 2.0184 trillion won in 2015 to 1.4864 trillion won in 2024. Last year's market size is also estimated at around 1.41 trillion won. The market has contracted by more than 30% over about 10 years.
Europe is considered a market with relatively higher entry barriers than the United States or Southeast Asia. Ice cream that contains dairy can be classified as a composite food containing animal-based ingredients, making import requirements stringent. The EU requires that animal-derived ingredients used in composite foods be produced at facilities approved by the EU and examines the exporting country and each ingredient's approval status, residue control plans, and animal health requirements. Dairy and egg ingredients are also subject to EU-defined risk-mitigating treatment requirements.
An industry official said, "Europe is a far more demanding market than the United States in terms of food regulations and certification procedures," adding, "For foods that contain dairy, ingredients, production facilities, and hygiene standards are scrutinized in detail, so product development tailored to the local market is essential."
Against this backdrop, a leading company accelerating its push into Europe is Binggrae. Binggrae replaced the dairy content in its flagship product Melona with plant-based ingredients and began exports in 2023, focusing on the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. According to Binggrae, Europe accounts for 24.4% of sales of plant-based Melona (based on exports).
Plant-based Melona is currently on shelves at major European retail channels such as Carrefour in France, Costco in the United Kingdom, Netto in Germany, and Conad in Italy. Binggrae is also expanding its lineup, unveiling the new plant-based Bungeo Samanco at Anuga, the world's largest food fair, held in Cologne, Germany, in Oct. last year.
A Binggrae official said, "Exports of frozen products to Europe have continued to grow since 2023, and we also posted double-digit growth last year," adding, "For now, we plan to target the European market with a focus on plant-based Melona and Bungeo Samanco."
Lotte Wellfood is also moving to develop the European market with plant-based products at the forefront. Having launched research and development (R&D) of plant-based ice cream last year, Lotte Wellfood showcased a plant-based chrysanthemum bread at Anuga last year and is gauging the European market's response around this product.
A Lotte Wellfood official said, "Europe has import restrictions on Korean dairy products, making it a difficult market for exports," adding, "We are currently at the stage of beginning exports of plant-based chrysanthemum bread." The official added, "Depending on consumer response, we plan to gradually broaden our base."