SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Koreans' rice consumption hit a record low last year amid changes in eating habits, official data showed Thursday.
The per-capita rice consumption decreased 3.4 percent to 53.9 kg in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
It was about half of the consumption level of 106.5 kg in 1995, marking the lowest since relevant data began to be compiled in 1962.
The rice consumption had been on a steady decline due to changes in eating habits and food culture.
The annual grain consumption per person, which includes rice and other grains such as barley and wheat, averaged 62.5 kg in 2025, down 3.0 percent from a year earlier.
It was also about half of the 1995 consumption level of 117.9 kg, hitting a new record low.
Rice used as raw material in the business sector, including food and beverage manufacturers, reached a fresh high of 932,102 tons in 2025, up 6.7 percent compared to the previous year.
It topped 900,000 tons for the first time since data began to be compiled in 2011. ■
