Sharp increase in imported beer sales in Korea

13,818t of Japanese beers such as ASAHI and SAPPORO has been imported to Korea in this year. This amount is 19.6% increase from that of previous year. (Photo : NEWSis)

The amount of imported beers in Korea of the first half of 2014 recorded the highest since 2000.

According to KOREA CUSTOMS SERVICE as of 16th, the total amount of imported beers in Korea is 53,618 tons which is 29.2% higher than that of previous year.

This means that about 106 million beer bottles were sold in this half converting weight to the number of beer bottle (500㎖ per a bottle).

The amount of imported beers in Korea of the first half has been increased 15 times since 2000 which was only 334 tons.

Particularly, this year is the first time that the amount of imported beers exceeded the amount of exported beers which is 53,451 tons.

The sales of imported beers in this half are $50.78 million which is 28.5% higher than those of previous year recording the highest number since 2000 as well.

It is assumed that this year’s imported beer consumption expected to surpass $100 million because of high temperature in July and August.

By countries, Japan’s beer was the most popular despite of radiation outbreak in the country. The country’s beer sales increased 19.6% from those of last year. It is said that 11,549 tons of Japan’s beer were sold in South Korea.

8,887 tons of Netherlands’ beers like Heineken were imported to South Korea in this first half marking NO.2 spot and Germany’s beers are the third selling 7,825 tons to South Korea. Like Japan, the amount of imported beers from both countries were increased, too. The amount of imported beers from Netherlands increased 38% and the amount of imported beers from Germany increased 60.9%.

China’s beers, previously No.4, marked the fifth ranking selling 5,067 tons in Korea and America’s beers were the fifth. In this half, USA which sold 4,214 tons of beer was the only country that had negative growth among top 10 beer importing countries in Korea.

Rising number of people who travel abroad increased the amount of imported beers because those who travel had a chance to taste various beers from numerous countries and sought them when they get back to their home.

Also, there are two more reasons to consider. People start to enjoy alcohol itself instead of trying to get drunk and put more efforts to try the right beer instead of consuming haphazardly.

To meet their demand, supermarket chains has been putting more efforts in finding suitable imported beers for Korean consumer.
Translated by HAN SOL SONG graduated from Pennsylvania State University – University Park, Advertising/Public Relation