As fishmeal prices soar, Dong-ae-deung-e takes off ... South Korea’s insect industry tops 59.1 billion won

South Korea’s insect industry is nearing a market size of 60 billion won, driven by the rapid growth of Dong-ae-deung-e, an insect used for animal feed. The overall market continued to grow as demand expanded for alternatives to fishmeal (fish powder).
According to the 2025 Survey on the Insect Industry, released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 9th, domestic insect-industry sales totaled 59.1 billion won last year, up 11.8% from 52.8 billion won the previous year. That was a 42.8% increase from 41.4 billion won in 2020.
Average sales per insect production, processing and distribution company rose 16.7%, from about 18 million won to 21 million won. The number of businesses registered in related sectors fell 6.4% to 2,760 from 2,949 the previous year, while overall sales increased.
Edible insects had the highest sales by use, at 20.1 billion won, accounting for 34.0% of the total. They were followed by insects for animal feed at 16.8 billion won (28.4%), other uses at 16.6 billion won (28.1%), and insects for pets and education at 5.6 billion won (9.5%). However, sales of edible insects fell 15.1% from 23.7 billion won the previous year.
Sales of Dong-ae-deung-e, an insect used for animal feed, totaled 16.8 billion won, up 65.3% from the previous year, leading the industry’s growth. The number of farms raising Dong-ae-deung-e also increased 18.3%, from 241 to 285. The ministry said the insect, which has a protein content of 40–50%, had attracted attention as an alternative protein source as international fishmeal prices rose 14.2%, from $1,598 to $1,825 per tonne.
The ministry said the foundation for growth in the edible-insect market had been laid with the recognition in September this year of Gosoae, the larvae of the mealworm beetle, as a functional ingredient in a health functional food that helps maintain muscle strength, and the completion of the Chuncheon Insect Industry Hub Complex, which can produce up to 1,000 tonnes a year. The ministry plans to expand support for modernizing insect-rearing facilities, commercializing green bio-products and providing policy financing.

[email protected] Choi Yong-jun, Agriculture Specialist Reporter