(image: Korea Bizwire)
SEJONG, Feb. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s wine imports increased at the fastest pace in four years in 2017 on the back of strong demand for white and sparkling wines and mini wines targeting a rising number of single-person households, government data showed Saturday.
South Korea imported $210 million worth of wines in 2017, up 9.7 percent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Korea Customs Office. It was the first time the amount surpassed $200 million.
(image: British Columbia Wine Institute)
Imported wine was one of the fastest growing alcoholic beverage items with a double-digit hike from 2011 to 2013, but its sales growth slowed from 2014 to 2016, with intensifying competition with imported beer.
(image: Pixabay)
Last year, local discount chains and convenience stores stepped up marketing for budget wines, boosting sales of white and sparkling wines. A growing number of single-person households also helped sales of wines in small bottles, which are smaller than a regular 750-milliliter bottle.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
