South Korea: Beer, soju consumption decline in 2021

The average South Korean adult consumed 52.9 bottles of soju and 82.9 bottles of beer last year, a report found on September 20, equalling to a bottle of soju a week.

According to the report based on sales data compiled from the National Tax Service and Korea Customs Service, a total of 825.8 million litres of soju and 1.79 billion litres of beer, including 255.2 million litres of imports, were distributed through local manufacturers last year.

In terms of bottles, a total of 2.29 billion bottles of soju and 3.59 billion bottles of beer were consumed.

Based on the shipments, soju consumption was found to have reduced 12.7 percent last year from 2017. Beer also saw a 16.7 percent decline in consumption during the same period.

Consumption of traditional rice wine, or makgeolli, also decreased to 363.1 million litres last year from 409.4 million litres in 2017.

Imported alcoholic beverages also showed an overall decrease in consumption, with wine being the only category whose sales by volume have significantly increased over the past five years.

During the 2017-2021 period, wine consumption soared to 76.8 million litres from 36.5 million litres.

“Shipments of alcohol beverages, including imports, have been on a decline since before the pandemic,” said Rep. Kim Sang-hoon of the ruling People Power Party, the author of the report.

“It appears to be a phenomenon that reflects the changing trends in the nation’s gathering culture and alcohol consumption.”

"As the World Health Organization estimates that drinking is the main cause of more than 200 diseases and the death of 33 million people every year, the government should continue to implement policies to better manage alcohol consumption,” added Kim.

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