Beer import value South Korea 2009-2021
In 2021, the import value of beer to South Korea amounted to around 223.1 million U.S. dollars, a decrease from almost 226.9 million U.S. dollars in the previous year, continuing the declining trend.
Japanese beer in South Korea
During the previous years, beer imports were usually led by Japanese brands. Nevertheless, due to political tensions in summer 2019, the import beer market saw a major shift. Due to the tensions, consumers and stores started boycotting products made in Japan. The beer import value plummeted from 7.9 million U.S. dollars in June 2019 to around six thousand U.S. dollars in September 2019. As of December 2021, the market has not recovered yet. In 2021, the Netherlands imported the highest volume of beer to South Korea.
Beer market
While the market share of large domestic beer companies is dropping, their products dominate the South Korean beer market. Based on retail sales value, Oriental Brewery had a market share of more than 50 percent in 2020. Oriental Brewery sells the domestic beer brand Cass, which was the most preferred beer brand in 2020, as well as other major brands. While large South Korean breweries mostly focus on light lager-style beer to attract the masses, a growing number of consumers are turning to craft beer. According to a survey, around 75 percent of beer drinkers are interested in craft beer due to the variety.
Japanese beer in South Korea
During the previous years, beer imports were usually led by Japanese brands. Nevertheless, due to political tensions in summer 2019, the import beer market saw a major shift. Due to the tensions, consumers and stores started boycotting products made in Japan. The beer import value plummeted from 7.9 million U.S. dollars in June 2019 to around six thousand U.S. dollars in September 2019. As of December 2021, the market has not recovered yet. In 2021, the Netherlands imported the highest volume of beer to South Korea.
Beer market
While the market share of large domestic beer companies is dropping, their products dominate the South Korean beer market. Based on retail sales value, Oriental Brewery had a market share of more than 50 percent in 2020. Oriental Brewery sells the domestic beer brand Cass, which was the most preferred beer brand in 2020, as well as other major brands. While large South Korean breweries mostly focus on light lager-style beer to attract the masses, a growing number of consumers are turning to craft beer. According to a survey, around 75 percent of beer drinkers are interested in craft beer due to the variety.
