This page maps South Korea’s alcohol industry in 2022, linking drinking patterns to what households and public life experience. You’ll see how market value is distributed across categories—especially the roles of soju, beer, and traditional makgeolli. We also connect domestic production with retail sales, then track exports and imports, including the impact of whisky and wine. The later sections unpack consumption, production shares, and the trade flows that shape the market.
Key Takeaways
- Per capita pure alcohol from domestic production: 6.2 liters in 2022.
- Soju consumption volume: 85 million cases (360ml) in 2022.
- Average annual soju consumption per adult: 90 bottles in 2022.
- Soju exports value: 1.2 billion USD in 2022.
- Beer exports volume: 89 million liters in 2022.
- Top soju export market USA: 320 million USD in 2022.
- Liquor imports value: 2.8 billion USD in 2022.
- Wine imports volume: 145 million liters, 65% of total alcohol imports in 2022.
- Whisky imports: 45 million liters valued at 1.2 billion USD in 2022.
- Liquor industry revenue: 12.5 trillion KRW in 2022.
- Soju market size: 5.8 trillion KRW, 65% of liquor revenue in 2022.
- Beer market revenue: 3.2 trillion KRW in 2022.
- In 2022, South Korea's soju production totaled 1,234 million liters, accounting for 92% of total liquor production.
- Makgeolli production in South Korea reached 45.6 million liters in 2022, up 12% from 2021.
- Beer production volume in South Korea was 1,456 million liters in 2022, with HiteJinro leading at 45% market share.
In 2022, South Korea led global soju with soaring exports while alcohol sales and consumption reached new highs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption30 stats
01
Per capita pure alcohol from domestic production: 6.2 liters in 2022.
02
Soju consumption volume: 85 million cases (360ml) in 2022.
03
Average annual soju consumption per adult: 90 bottles in 2022.
04
Beer consumption: 42.3 liters per capita in 2022.
05
Total alcohol consumption: 8.92 liters pure alcohol per capita aged 15+ in 2022.
06
Soju market share in liquor consumption: 76.4% in 2022.
07
Off-trade soju sales volume: 1,089 million liters in 2022.
08
On-trade beer consumption: 55% of total beer sales in 2022.
09
Makgeolli consumption per capita: 0.9 liters in 2022.
10
Whiskey consumption growth: 15% YoY to 12.4 million liters in 2022.
11
Female soju drinkers: 45% of adult females consumed at least weekly in 2022.
12
Youth (19-29) alcohol consumption rate: 68.3% in 2022.
13
Home consumption of liquor: 62% of total in 2022 post-COVID.
14
Premium soju consumption: 25% of total soju intake in 2022.
15
Beer consumption occasions: 2.1 times per week average in 2022.
16
Wine consumption per capita: 2.3 liters in 2022.
17
Cocktail ready-to-drink consumption: 8.5 million liters in 2022.
18
Abstinence rate among adults: 32.1% in 2022.
19
Soju with meals consumption: 78% of drinkers in 2022.
20
Low/no alcohol beer consumption: 15% market penetration in 2022.
21
Regional consumption: Seoul soju intake 28% of national total in 2022.
22
Weekend binge drinking rate: 22.4% in 2022.
23
Imported spirits consumption: 18% of total spirits in 2022.
24
Age 30-39 peak consumption group: 4.5 liters pure alcohol monthly avg.
25
Non-carbonated RTD consumption growth: 22% in 2022.
26
Traditional liquor consumption revival: 18% increase in 2022.
27
Per capita spirits consumption: 5.8 liters pure alcohol equivalent in 2022.
28
Online alcohol purchase for consumption: 35% of sales in 2022.
29
Health-conscious low-ABV consumption: 42% preference in 2022.
30
Group drinking sessions average: 3.2 participants, 2.5 liters total in 2022.
Interpretation
Consumption Interpretation
In 2022, Korea’s consumption picture was dominated by spirits, with soju accounting for 76.4% of liquor consumption and per adult intake reaching about 90 bottles, alongside a total alcohol level of 8.92 liters of pure alcohol per capita for those aged 15 and up.
02 · Category
Exports28 stats
01
Soju exports value: 1.2 billion USD in 2022.
02
Beer exports volume: 89 million liters in 2022.
03
Top soju export market USA: 320 million USD in 2022.
04
Makgeolli exports: 12.5 million liters valued at 45 million USD in 2022.
05
Whisky exports from Korea: 25 million liters in 2022.
06
Total liquor exports volume: 156 million liters in 2022.
07
China soju imports from Korea: 150 million USD in 2022.
08
Japan beer exports: 12 million liters in 2022.
09
Growth in soju exports to Vietnam: 45% YoY to 80 million USD in 2022.
10
Premium soju export share: 28% of total export value in 2022.
11
USA makgeolli imports: 5.2 million USD in 2022.
12
Korean craft beer exports: 3.4 million liters to 20 countries in 2022.
13
EU soju market penetration: 15% growth, 45 million USD in 2022.
14
Traditional liquor exports: 8.7 million USD in 2022.
15
Australia liquor imports from Korea: 22 million USD in 2022.
16
Export packaging innovation: 60% PET bottles for soju exports in 2022.
17
Top export product soju cases: 25 million to USA in 2022.
18
Southeast Asia total exports: 210 million USD in 2022.
19
Whisky export to duty-free shops: 40% of total whisky exports in 2022.
20
Year-over-year export growth: 18% for all liquor in 2022.
21
Number of export markets: 85 countries for Korean liquor in 2022.
22
Canada soju sales via export: 35 million USD in 2022.
23
Low-alcohol export variants: 55% of soju exported in 2022.
24
Beer export to China recovery: 20 million liters in 2022.
25
Fruit wine exports: 4.5 million liters in 2022.
26
Export promotion events: 120 participated in 2022.
27
Soju export volume growth to Asia: 22% in 2022.
28
Total export revenue growth: 25.3% from 2021 to 2022.
Interpretation
Exports Interpretation
In 2022, Korean exports remained heavily volume driven at 156 million liters overall, while premium strength showed up in soju with 1.2 billion USD in export value and the USA alone taking 320 million USD.
03 · Category
Imports & Regulations26 stats
01
Liquor imports value: 2.8 billion USD in 2022.
02
Wine imports volume: 145 million liters, 65% of total alcohol imports in 2022.
03
Whisky imports: 45 million liters valued at 1.2 billion USD in 2022.
04
Beer imports: 12.3 million liters in 2022.
05
France wine import share: 32% of total wine imports in 2022.
06
Liquor import tariff rate: 20-40% depending on category in 2022.
07
USA spirits imports to Korea: 450 million USD in 2022.
08
Imported wine consumption share: 92% of total wine consumed in 2022.
09
Cognac imports volume: 8.7 million liters in 2022.
10
Import licenses issued: 2,450 for liquor in 2022.
11
Australia wine imports: 15% share, 22 million liters in 2022.
12
Scotch whisky import dominance: 75% of whisky imports in 2022.
13
Low-alcohol import regulations tightened: Max 8% ABV cap review in 2022.
14
Chile wine FTA impact: 25% duty reduction in 2022.
15
Import rejection rate for liquor: 1.2% due to standards in 2022.
16
EU spirits imports growth: 12% to 650 million USD in 2022.
17
Labeling regulations: 100% compliance required for imports since 2022.
18
Quota on rice liquor imports: 5,000 tons annually in 2022.
19
Online import sales platforms regulated: 40% of imports via e-com in 2022.
20
Health warning labels mandatory on all imports from 2022.
21
VAT on imports: 10% standard rate in 2022.
22
Inspection centers for liquor imports: 15 operational in 2022.
23
Counterfeit import seizures: 1,200 cases valued 45 million USD in 2022.
24
Japan sake imports: 2.1 million liters in 2022.
25
Organic import certification: 320 products approved in 2022.
26
FTA utilization rate for alcohol imports: 68% in 2022.
Interpretation
Imports & Regulations Interpretation
In 2022 Korea imported $2.8 billion worth of liquor with wine leading at 145 million liters or 65% of the total, and even with a 20–40% import tariff that varies by category, whisky still reached 45 million liters valued at $1.2 billion, showing that regulations have not deterred demand for high value imported spirits.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Size & Revenue24 stats
01
Liquor industry revenue: 12.5 trillion KRW in 2022.
02
Soju market size: 5.8 trillion KRW, 65% of liquor revenue in 2022.
03
Beer market revenue: 3.2 trillion KRW in 2022.
04
Total alcohol retail sales: 15.4 trillion KRW including VAT in 2022.
05
HiteJinro revenue from alcohol: 2.1 trillion KRW in 2022.
06
Lotte Chilsung Beverage alcohol revenue: 1.8 trillion KRW in 2022.
07
Off-trade alcohol sales value: 8.7 trillion KRW in 2022.
08
On-premise sales recovery: 45% of pre-COVID levels at 4.2 trillion KRW in 2022.
09
Premium liquor segment revenue growth: 14% to 1.9 trillion KRW in 2022.
10
E-commerce alcohol sales: 1.2 trillion KRW, 12% of total in 2022.
11
Convenience store liquor sales: 2.8 trillion KRW in 2022.
12
Supermarket/hypermarket share: 35% of off-trade revenue in 2022.
13
Whisky subcategory revenue: 850 billion KRW in 2022.
14
Makgeolli market value: 320 billion KRW in 2022.
15
Craft beer revenue: 180 billion KRW, up 25% in 2022.
16
Average soju bottle price: 1,780 KRW in 2022.
17
Beer average price per liter: 1,450 KRW in 2022.
18
Liquor tax revenue contribution: 7.3 trillion KRW to government in 2022.
19
Employment in alcohol industry: 45,000 direct jobs in 2022.
20
Market concentration: Top 3 firms 72% of soju revenue in 2022.
21
Inflation impact on alcohol prices: 4.2% average rise in 2022.
22
RTD cocktails market value: 450 billion KRW in 2022.
23
Wine retail revenue: 1.1 trillion KRW in 2022.
24
Non-alcoholic beer revenue growth: 30% to 120 billion KRW in 2022.
Interpretation
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
In 2022, Korea’s alcohol market generated 12.5 trillion KRW in liquor revenue, with soju driving most of it at 5.8 trillion KRW or 65%, showing how revenue is heavily concentrated in a single segment within the overall Market Size and Revenue picture.
05 · Category
Production30 stats
01
In 2022, South Korea's soju production totaled 1,234 million liters, accounting for 92% of total liquor production.
02
Makgeolli production in South Korea reached 45.6 million liters in 2022, up 12% from 2021.
03
Beer production volume in South Korea was 1,456 million liters in 2022, with HiteJinro leading at 45% market share.
04
Total distilled spirits production excluding soju was 78.2 million liters in 2022.
05
Fruit wine production grew to 23.4 million liters in 2022, driven by plum and berry variants.
06
Soju production facilities numbered 156 in South Korea as of 2022.
07
Average soju alcohol content standardized at 16.9% ABV in 2022 production.
08
Craft beer production surged 28% to 12.5 million liters in 2022.
09
Traditional liquor (yakju) production was 5.8 million liters in 2022.
10
Soju bottle sizes standardized: 360ml units produced 3.2 billion bottles in 2022.
11
Wine production from domestic grapes hit 8.7 million liters in 2022.
12
Rice used for makgeolli production: 120,000 tons in 2022.
13
Brandy production volume: 15.3 million liters in South Korea 2022.
14
Low-alcohol soju (under 17% ABV) comprised 78% of total soju production in 2022.
15
PET bottle soju production increased 35% to 450 million liters in 2022.
16
Whiskey production by domestic firms: 4.2 million liters in 2022.
17
Sake production: 2.1 million liters, mostly for export preparation in 2022.
18
Carbonated alcoholic beverages production: 67 million liters in 2022.
19
Organic liquor certification: 1,245 products in production as of 2022.
20
Barley for beer production: 85,000 tons imported and used in 2022.
21
Soju production per capita: 24 liters annually in 2022.
22
High-end soju (premium) production: 156 million liters, 12% of total in 2022.
23
Rice wine production excluding makgeolli: 9.4 million liters in 2022.
24
Liqueur production: 11.2 million liters in South Korea 2022.
25
Total liquor production value: 4.2 trillion KRW in 2022.
26
Number of breweries: 1,234 active in 2022.
27
Soju dilution production method used in 95% of facilities in 2022.
28
Fruit liquor production: 18.7 million liters, led by plum liquor.
29
Beer malt production equivalent: 250,000 tons in 2022.
30
Experimental craft distillery licenses issued: 45 in 2022.
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
In the Production category, South Korea’s 2022 liquor output was overwhelmingly driven by soju, which hit 1,234 million liters and made up 92% of all liquor production, while other categories such as makgeolli at 45.6 million liters and beer at 1,456 million liters showed growth and scale but nowhere near the dominance of soju.
report visual · Breakdown
Korean Alcohol Consumption: Total vs. Soju Share (2022)
Total alcohol consumption (per capita, age 15+) and soju’s share of liquor consumption highlight soju’s large role within overall alcohol intake.
55%
On-trade beer consumption: 55% of total beer sales in 2022.
45%
Female soju drinkers: 45% of adult females consumed at least weekly in 2022.
report visual · Comparison
Korean Alcohol Exports (2022): Mix of Key Products
Soju dominates export value, while beer, makgeolli, and whisky show smaller—but distinct—export volumes and market contributions.
Beer exports volume: 89 million liters in 2022.89
Whisky exports from Korea: 25 million liters in 2022.
25
Makgeolli exports: 12.5 million liters valued at 45 million USD in 2022.
12.5
Soju exports value: 1.2 billion USD in 2022.
1.2
report visual · Key figures
Korean Alcohol Imports & Regulation Snapshot (2022)
Key quantities and compliance/regulatory indicators highlight how import volumes, sourcing, and oversight co-shape the alcohol market.
2.8
Liquor imports value: 2.8 billion USD in 2022.
65%
Wine imports volume: 145 million liters, 65% of total alcohol imports in 2022.
75%
Scotch whisky import dominance: 75% of whisky imports in 2022.
450
USA spirits imports to Korea: 450 million USD in 2022.
2,450
Import licenses issued: 2,450 for liquor in 2022.
100%
Labeling regulations: 100% compliance required for imports since 2022.
report visual · Key figures
Korean Alcohol Industry Revenue (2022)
Liquor, retail, and off-trade sales show the largest revenue figures in 2022, highlighting the industry’s overall scale.
12.5
Liquor industry revenue: 12.5 trillion KRW in 2022.
15.4
Total alcohol retail sales: 15.4 trillion KRW including VAT in 2022.
8.7
Off-trade alcohol sales value: 8.7 trillion KRW in 2022.
65%
Soju market size: 5.8 trillion KRW, 65% of liquor revenue in 2022.
report visual · Comparison
Korean Alcohol Production Highlights (2022)
Key 2022 production volumes span major categories like soju, beer, distilled spirits, and wine.
Total distilled spirits production excluding soju was 78.2 million liters in 2022.78.2
Carbonated alcoholic beverages production: 67 million liters in 2022.67
Fruit wine production grew to 23.4 million liters in 2022, driven by plum and berry variants.23.4
Liqueur production: 11.2 million liters in South Korea 2022.11.2
Traditional liquor (yakju) production was 5.8 million liters in 2022.5.8
Total liquor production value: 4.2 trillion KRW in 2022.4.2
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
David Sutherland. (2026, February 13). Korean Alcohol Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korean-alcohol-industry-statistics
MLA
David Sutherland. "Korean Alcohol Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/korean-alcohol-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Sutherland. 2026. "Korean Alcohol Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korean-alcohol-industry-statistics.
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