SEOUL, June 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Despite the disruptions to daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, South Koreans’ love of coffee remains unchanged.
The nation’s imports of raw coffee beans totaled 52,285 tons in the first four months of this year, up 14.8 percent from a year ago, according to the Korean Customs Office.
The number of coffee shops also increased compared to a year ago. According to data compiled by the National Tax Service, the number of coffee shops totaled 73,950 as of March, up 16.4 percent from a year earlier.
The revenues of major coffee franchise operators including Starbucks Korea, Ediya Coffee Co. and A Twosome Place marked positive growth last year compared to a year before.
Even the instant brewed coffee selling at convenience store chains is enjoying rising popularity.
GS25 saw its instant brewed coffee sales reach 157 million cups last year, up 20.8 percent year on year. CU also recorded 19.7 percent growth to 140 million cups during the same period.
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