Japanese beer is losing its place in the Korean market. According to the Korea Customs Service and the liquor industry on the 28th, the amount of Japanese beer imported last year was $5668,000, down 85.7% from the previous year.
Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin, and other Japanese beer imports peaked at $78.3 million in 2018. At that time, it was the overwhelming number one in the imported beer market. It was almost twice that of No. 2 Chinese beer ($4912,000).
However, following a sharp drop to $39.75 million in 2019, it literally shrank last year. Compared to 2018, the amount of imports is about 7.2%, which is less than a tenth in just two years. Last year’s ranking fell to 9th.
This can be interpreted as being affected by the boycott of Japanese products, including Japanese beer, in Korea after the Japanese government implemented export restrictions to Korea in August 2019.
In terms of the origin of imported beer last year, the Netherlands ($4,074,000) was ranked first, followed by the United States ($34949,000), China ($32341,000), and Belgium ($26.7 million).
Although it is still insignificant, Japanese beer imports hit the bottom in September 2019 ($6,000) and has been showing a slight increase since. In the second half of last year, it is analyzed by the effect of a promotion event that sells 4 cans of Japanese beer for 10,000 won.
However, an official from the liquor industry said, “Although Japanese beer is gradually being displayed on the shelves of convenience stores, it is not yet in an atmosphere to hold a large-scale promotion event.”
Sejong = Reporter Kim Namjun [email protected]