The food consumption pattern in South Korea is changing, driven by the continuous growth of the alternative meat market, increasing consumer preferences, the spread of positive perceptions about vegetarianism and the growing number of vegetarians, as well as the introduction of the certification system for low-carbon agricultural and livestock products. The domestic market size of plant-based meat alternatives was USD 17.4 million in 2020, an increase of 23.7% from USD 14.1 million in 2016. Legumes accounted for USD 10.8 million, which is 62.0% of the total market. It is expected to grow to USD 22.6 million by 2025. If consumption of meat alternatives increases by 30% by 2050, it can achieve a greenhouse gas reduction of 18.4% of the agricultural sector's reduction target.

The domestic vegetarian community is estimated to be 1.5 million people. According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute's 2021 Food Consumption Behavior Survey, 3.6% of respondents identified themselves as vegetarians, consuming only plant-based foods, while 12.9% identified themselves as semi-vegetarians who eat eggs, dairy products, and seafood. Among the primary motivations for adopting a vegetarian lifestyle, 53.2% cited "health reasons," while 29.5% cited "reduced environmental impact compared to meat consumption. In addition, 49.3% expressed an interest in temporarily adopting a vegan lifestyle, and 68.1% of respondents expressed a positive attitude toward veganism.

In South Korea, the number of certified vegan food products surged to 612 in 2021, a 44% increase from the previous year. These products span a variety of categories, including sauces, pastries, beverages, desserts, and instant noodles. From 2018 to 2021, a total of 612 food products obtained certification from the Korea Vegan Certification Institute. Notably, 286 new products received vegan certification in 2021 alone, representing a 44% increase from 2020 and a remarkable 151% increase from 2019. Some 71.2% of restaurants are considering adding vegetarian menu items, driven by a desire for menu diversification (43.9%) and a growing demand for vegetarian options among customers (42.9%). Among consumers who have tried plant-based meat products, 46.0% report satisfaction, with the highest satisfaction rate (50.7%) among those in their 20s. In addition, consumers' intention to purchase plant-based meat products increased to 50.1%.

In South Korea, 60.4% of farms use low-carbon agriculture technologies. The most widely accepted practices include "optimal fertilizer use" at 30.2%, followed by "use of farm-made agricultural materials" at 13.9%, "using biological resources for weed and pest control" at 10.4%, and "mulching" at 10.3%. Other notable techniques include "efficient irrigation management" at 5.2%, "use of multi-layer isolation curtains and automatic tunnel opening devices" at 5.6%, and "no-till or reduced-till farming" at 6.8%. Regarding the adoption of future low-carbon agricultural technologies, a significant majority of respondents (73.5%) expressed willingness. As of 2022, 19 agricultural and livestock products, covering 61 items, have been certified as low-carbon.