According to E-Mart 24, a convenience store chain operated by the Shinsegae Group, sales of wine and liquor from January to May increased 228.2% and 98.3% year-on-year, respectively. (Image courtesy of E-Mart 24)
SEOUL, July 27 (Korea Bizwire) — Chilean wine was the top imported wine to South Korea last year in terms of wine volume, according to trade data from the Korea Customs Service.
As South Korean consumers’ love for wine shores up the steady growth in the wine market, the total volume of imported wine in recent years has been on an upward trend, with demand for imported wine nearly doubling last year (43,495 tons) compared to 2011 (26,004 tons).
Competition is being heated up as South Korea’s wine market shows a steady growth. Lotte Mart, a major retailer, has recently introduced “inexpensive but delicious wine” from Spain — with the price tag of 3000KRW. (Image courtesy of Lotte Mart)
South Korea imported 11,272 tons of Chilean wine last year. Trailing wine from Chile, wines from Spain (5,406 tons), France (5,013 tons), Italy (4,534 tons), the U.S. (2,956 tons) and Australia (2,102 tons) were also popular among wine aficionados in South Korea.
When calculated by import prices, not by trade volume, the ranking has a change of seats, with France topping the list , followed by Chile, the U.S. Italy, Spain and Australia.
Wine from the U.S. (Image courtesy of HomePlus)
This is because many varieties from France are expensive compared to those of other nations, explained an official with the liquor industry. Overall, French wine and Chilean wine are the most popular products among South Korean consumers, according to industry sources.
Image courtesy of E-Mart, Lotte Mart, HomePlus / photonews@koreabizwire.com
