Imported beer brands lose market to local craft beers in Korea

Beer imports in South Korea hit a five-year-low at $106.5 million for the first half of this year, down 5.4 percent from a year ago, whereas sales of Korean craft beer brands are booming in popularity. Japanese beers that had once taken second place in the Korean imported beer market rapidly lost its share to rank 10th as of end-June amid consumer boycott due to the deepening conflict between Korea and Japan over history issues. Korean craft beer sales at local convenience store chain CU soared 240.5 percent during the first six months on the back of brisk sales of Gompyo Wheat Beer, a craft beer produced in collaboration with the country’s oldest flour brand. CU has sold more than 6 million Gompyo Beer cans and bottles since its launch in May in 2020.

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