From the explosive growth of functional drinks and premium soju to the relentless rise of e-commerce beverage sales, South Korea's 29.1 trillion KRW drink market is a dynamic powerhouse where health trends and tradition are creating a fascinating global business story.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the total South Korean beverage market size reached 28.7 trillion KRW, driven by a 5.1% CAGR from 2019-2023
- The non-alcoholic beverage segment in South Korea grew by 6.8% in 2022 to 12.4 trillion KRW, fueled by health-conscious trends
- Alcoholic beverages accounted for 42.3% of the total Korean beverage market revenue in 2023, totaling 13.1 trillion KRW
- Soju production volume in South Korea totaled 1.2 billion liters in 2022, led by HiteJinro with 45% share
- Beer production reached 1.8 billion liters in 2023, with a 2.3% decline due to health trends
- Traditional Korean rice liquor (Makgeolli) output increased to 85 million liters in 2022, up 12.4%
- Per capita soju consumption in South Korea averaged 90 bottles (360ml each) in 2022
- Beer consumption per capita reached 42.5 liters in 2023, a slight 0.8% decrease
- 68% of South Koreans aged 20-29 consumed RTD teas weekly in 2023 survey
- HiteJinro held 42.1% market share in soju sales with 540 million bottles sold in 2023
- Lotte Chilsung Beverage captured 31% of carbonated drinks market with 1.4 billion liters in 2022
- Oriental Brewery (OB) dominated beer with 52% share, producing 936 million liters in 2023
- South Korea exported 45.2 million liters of soju worth 120 billion KRW in 2023
- Beer exports from Korea totaled 15.8 million liters in 2022, up 9.4% YoY to China and US
- RTD tea imports reached 200 million USD in 2023, mainly from Japan
South Korea's beverage market thrives with strong growth across alcoholic and health-focused drinks.
Company and Brand Performance
1HiteJinro held 42.1% market share in soju sales with 540 million bottles sold in 2023
Verified2Lotte Chilsung Beverage captured 31% of carbonated drinks market with 1.4 billion liters in 2022
Verified3Oriental Brewery (OB) dominated beer with 52% share, producing 936 million liters in 2023
Verified4Amorepacific's RTD tea brands generated 850 billion KRW revenue in 2023
Directional5Dong-A Otsuka's Pocari Sweat sold 120 million units in Korea in 2022
Single source6Ilhwa's ginseng beverage line achieved 15% market share in functional drinks, 320 billion KRW sales
Verified7Coca-Cola Korea's sales volume reached 950 million liters in 2023, 28% market share
Verified8Starbucks Korea operated 1,870 stores with 45 million monthly beverage sales in 2023
Verified9Pulmuone's plant-based milk sales grew 25% to 180 billion KRW in 2022
Directional10Binggrae ice beverage revenue hit 420 billion KRW, 22% YoY growth in 2023
Single source11Ottogi's noodle-integrated beverage sales contributed 10% to total revenue at 250 billion KRW
Verified12CJ CheilJedang's Sunny10 lemon drink sold 200 million bottles in 2023, 25% market share
Verified13Haitai Beverage's Milkis carbonated milk drink achieved 450 billion KRW sales in 2022
Verified14GS25 convenience stores sold 1.2 billion beverage units in 2023, partnering with local brands
Directional15Red Bull Korea distributed 95 million cans in 2023, holding 55% energy drink share
Single source16Yamazaki Baking's Korean operations produced 300 million RTD coffees in 2022
Verified17Lotte Wellfood's Kloud beer captured 15% craft segment with 50 million liters
Verified18Nongshim's beverage division revenue was 150 billion KRW from noodle tie-ins in 2023
Verified19SPC Group's Ediya Coffee chain sold 80 million beverages monthly in 2023
Directional20Crown Hite's new fruit soju variants sold 100 million bottles in launch year 2022
Single source21PepsiCo Korea's Aquafina water brand led imports with 40 million liters sold
VerifiedCompany and Brand Performance Interpretation
While it may seem Koreans are simply quenching their thirst, the market reveals a nation running on a sophisticated, high-octane cocktail of soju dominion, caffeinated diligence, and a burgeoning taste for everything from Pocari persistence to plant-based progress.
Consumption Patterns
1Per capita soju consumption in South Korea averaged 90 bottles (360ml each) in 2022
Verified2Beer consumption per capita reached 42.5 liters in 2023, a slight 0.8% decrease
Verified368% of South Koreans aged 20-29 consumed RTD teas weekly in 2023 survey
Verified4Carbonated soft drink consumption totaled 25 liters per capita in 2022
Directional5Bottled water intake per person hit 68 liters annually in 2023, up 7.9%
Single source6Functional beverage consumption among urban Koreans rose 22% to 15 liters per capita in 2022
Verified7Coffee consumption per capita in Korea was 339 cups in 2023, highest in Asia
Verified845% of Koreans prefer low-sugar beverages, per 2023 consumer survey
Verified9Nighttime beverage consumption (post-8pm) accounts for 28% of daily intake in Korea
Directional10Organic beverage consumption grew 19.3% YoY to 12% market penetration in 2023
Single source1172% of Korean millennials consume soju at least monthly, averaging 5.2 bottles per occasion in 2023
Verified12Female beer consumption rose 18% to 12 liters per capita in urban areas in 2022
Verified1355% of Koreans aged 30-49 prefer iced Americanos, consuming 150 cups annually
Verified14Zero-sugar soda consumption doubled to 8 liters per capita in 2023 among youth
Directional15Home consumption of RTD beverages increased 25% post-COVID to 40% of total in 2022
Single source16Ginseng drink intake averages 2.1 liters per year per health-focused consumer
Verified17Seasonal beverage consumption peaks at 35% in summer for barley tea at 15 liters pp
Verified18Alcohol-free beer consumption hit 3.2 liters per capita in 2023, up 30%
Verified19Vending machine beverage sales account for 18% of total consumption volume
Directional20Edible ice and slushie consumption totals 5 kg per capita annually in 2022
Single sourceConsumption Patterns Interpretation
Koreans appear to be hydrating with the logic of a bar graph, diligently offsetting each night's soju with a mountain of morning coffee, all while their fridges become a calculated battleground of rising health trends and stubbornly cherished traditions.
International Trade
1South Korea exported 45.2 million liters of soju worth 120 billion KRW in 2023
Verified2Beer exports from Korea totaled 15.8 million liters in 2022, up 9.4% YoY to China and US
Verified3RTD tea imports reached 200 million USD in 2023, mainly from Japan
Verified4Bottled water imports to Korea were valued at 150 billion KRW in 2022, 12% growth
Directional5Energy drink imports surged 28% to 80 million USD from US and Europe in 2023
Single source6Fruit juice exports hit 50 million USD in 2023, targeting Southeast Asia
Verified7Makgeolli exports grew 15.2% to 12 million liters worth 40 billion KRW in 2022
Verified8Carbonated beverage imports totaled 300 billion KRW in 2023, led by Pepsi and Coke brands
Verified9Korean coffee exports (instant) reached 100 million USD in 2023
Directional10Functional beverage trade surplus was 20 billion KRW in 2022
Single source11South Korean soju exports to the US increased 22% to 25 million liters in 2023
Verified12Beer imports declined 5.1% to 120 million liters in 2022 due to local production rise
Verified13Korean beverage exports to Vietnam grew 35% to 30 billion KRW in 2023, mainly soju
Verified14Imports of premium whiskey to Korea totaled 250 million USD in 2022
Directional15Makgeolli exports to Europe reached 5 million liters worth 15 billion KRW in 2023
Single source16Instant coffee exports to China hit 60 million USD in 2023, 20% YoY increase
Verified17Bottled green tea imports from Japan were 100 billion KRW in 2022
Verified18Korean energy drink exports to Southeast Asia totaled 12 million USD in 2023
Verified19Trade balance for fruit juices showed 40 million USD surplus in 2022 exports over imports
Directional20Craft beer exports doubled to 2 million liters in 2023 to US craft markets
Single source21Low-alcohol beverage imports from Australia were 20 million liters in 2023
VerifiedInternational Trade Interpretation
South Korea’s thirst for global tastes is matched only by its ambition to make soju the world’s comforting spirit, while craft beers and makgeolli quietly conquer new frontiers.
Market Overview
1In 2023, the total South Korean beverage market size reached 28.7 trillion KRW, driven by a 5.1% CAGR from 2019-2023
Verified2The non-alcoholic beverage segment in South Korea grew by 6.8% in 2022 to 12.4 trillion KRW, fueled by health-conscious trends
Verified3Alcoholic beverages accounted for 42.3% of the total Korean beverage market revenue in 2023, totaling 13.1 trillion KRW
Verified4South Korea's ready-to-drink (RTD) tea market expanded to 1.9 trillion KRW in 2023, with a 7.2% YoY growth
Directional5The carbonated soft drinks sector in Korea hit 3.2 trillion KRW in sales in 2022, up 3.9% from 2021
Single source6Bottled water market in South Korea surged to 2.1 trillion KRW in 2023, reflecting a 8.4% annual growth rate
Verified7Functional beverages in Korea generated 1.5 trillion KRW in 2023, with energy drinks comprising 45% of the segment
Verified8The overall Korean beverage industry per capita spending reached 550,000 KRW in 2022, a 4.7% increase YoY
Verified9E-commerce beverage sales in South Korea grew 15.2% to 4.8 trillion KRW in 2023
Directional10Premium beverage segment in Korea expanded by 9.1% to 5.6 trillion KRW in 2023
Single source11In 2023, the South Korean beverage market size reached 29.1 trillion KRW, with a projected CAGR of 5.5% through 2028
Verified12Alcoholic drinks market valued at 14.2 trillion KRW in 2023, comprising 48.9% of total beverages
Verified13Soft drinks market grew to 3.8 trillion KRW in 2023, driven by low-calorie variants at 8.2% growth
Verified14Sports drinks segment expanded to 450 billion KRW in 2022, up 13.6% YoY
Directional15Juice market in Korea hit 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023, with 100% fruit juices leading at 35% share
Single source16Alcoholic RTDs (somaek variants) market size was 800 billion KRW in 2023, growing 16.4%
Verified17Dairy beverages market reached 2.8 trillion KRW in 2022, with yogurt drinks at 40% segment share
Verified18Plant-based beverage sales surged to 350 billion KRW in 2023, 24.1% YoY growth
VerifiedMarket Overview Interpretation
While Koreans are increasingly hydrating with health-conscious teas and bottled water, the enduring national pastime of a stiff drink ensures the alcohol sector still holds nearly half the market hostage.
Production Statistics
1Soju production volume in South Korea totaled 1.2 billion liters in 2022, led by HiteJinro with 45% share
Verified2Beer production reached 1.8 billion liters in 2023, with a 2.3% decline due to health trends
Verified3Traditional Korean rice liquor (Makgeolli) output increased to 85 million liters in 2022, up 12.4%
Verified4Carbonated beverage production capacity in Korea stood at 4.5 billion liters annually in 2023
Directional5RTD coffee production volumes hit 650 million units in 2022, growing 11.7% YoY
Single source6Bottled green tea production reached 1.1 billion liters in 2023, with 60% from major firms
Verified7Energy drink production in South Korea was 320 million liters in 2022, up 14.2%
Verified8Fruit juice concentrate production totaled 450,000 tons in 2023
Verified9Low-alcohol beverage production surged to 250 million liters in 2022, reflecting 18.5% growth
Directional10Milk-based beverage production volume was 2.3 billion liters in 2023, down 1.2% YoY
Single source11Soju production facilities operated at 92% capacity utilization in 2023, yielding 1.25 billion liters
Verified12Craft beer production volumes tripled to 20 million liters in 2022 from 2019 levels
Verified13Barley-based beverage production for beer reached 500,000 tons in 2023
Verified14PET bottle production for beverages totaled 15 billion units in Korea in 2022
Directional15Instant coffee production hit 45,000 tons in 2023, exported 60% of output
Single source16Electrolyte drink production was 180 million liters in 2022, up 17%
Verified17Traditional herbal tea production volumes reached 300 million liters in 2023
Verified18Soda production lines produced 4.8 billion liters annually in 2023 capacity
Verified19Yogurt drink production totaled 1.5 billion packs in 2022
Directional20Kombucha and fermented tea production grew to 15 million liters in 2023
Single sourceProduction Statistics Interpretation
South Korea’s beverage landscape is a spirited tug-of-war where venerable soju stands its ground against a sobering decline in beer, while trendy coffees and health-tonics race forward, all awash in a sea of PET bottles.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2EUROMONITOReuromonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 3IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 4MINTELmintel.comVisit source
- Reference 5KOSTATkostat.go.krVisit source
- Reference 6GLOBALDATAglobaldata.comVisit source
- Reference 7NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 8OECDoecd.orgVisit source
- Reference 9EMARKETERemarketer.comVisit source
- Reference 10BAINbain.comVisit source
- Reference 11KMBAkmba.or.krVisit source
- Reference 12KOREABREWERSkoreabrewers.or.krVisit source
- Reference 13MAFRAmafra.go.krVisit source
- Reference 14COFFEEBEANKOREAcoffeebeankorea.comVisit source
- Reference 15KTEAktea.or.krVisit source
- Reference 16FNBNEWSfnbnews.comVisit source
- Reference 17KFIAkfia.or.krVisit source
- Reference 18KMAkma.or.krVisit source
- Reference 19KDMAkdma.or.krVisit source
- Reference 20WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 21KIRBYANALYTICSkirbyanalytics.comVisit source
- Reference 22BEVERAGEDAILYbeveragedaily.comVisit source
- Reference 23ICOico.orgVisit source
- Reference 24KANTARkantar.comVisit source
- Reference 25ORGANIC-ASIAorganic-asia.netVisit source
- Reference 26HITEJINROhitejinro.comVisit source
- Reference 27LOTTElotte.co.krVisit source
- Reference 28OBob.co.krVisit source
- Reference 29AMOREPACIFICamorepacific.comVisit source
- Reference 30DONGAOTSUKAdongaotsuka.co.krVisit source
- Reference 31ILHWAilhwa.co.krVisit source
- Reference 32COCA-COLAcoca-cola.comVisit source
- Reference 33STARBUCKSstarbucks.co.krVisit source
- Reference 34PULMUONEpulmuone.co.krVisit source
- Reference 35BINGGRAEbinggrae.comVisit source
- Reference 36OTTOGIottogi.co.krVisit source
- Reference 37KCUSTOMSkcustoms.go.krVisit source
- Reference 38KOTRAkotra.or.krVisit source
- Reference 39CUSTOMScustoms.go.krVisit source
- Reference 40KFISkfis.or.krVisit source
- Reference 41MOFmof.go.krVisit source
- Reference 42ATAata.go.krVisit source
- Reference 43KFFEEkffee.orgVisit source
- Reference 44KHIDIkhidi.or.krVisit source
- Reference 45USKOREACHAMBERuskoreachamber.comVisit source
- Reference 46BEERNETbeernet.co.krVisit source
- Reference 47RESEARCHANDMARKETSresearchandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 48GLOBALMARKETINSIGHTSglobalmarketinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 49MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 50FUTUREMARKETINSIGHTSfuturemarketinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 51ZENITHINTERNATIONALzenithinternational.comVisit source
- Reference 52KENRESEARCHkenresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 53PROTEINREPORTproteinreport.comVisit source
- Reference 54CRAFTBEERKOREAcraftbeerkorea.comVisit source
- Reference 55KABkab.orgVisit source
- Reference 56KOPIBEXkopibex.comVisit source
- Reference 57KICkic.or.krVisit source
- Reference 58SPORTSDRINKSsportsdrinks.or.krVisit source
- Reference 59KHERBTEAkherbtea.comVisit source
- Reference 60KOSODAkosoda.orgVisit source
- Reference 61KDYkdy.orgVisit source
- Reference 62FERMENTKOREAfermentkorea.comVisit source
- Reference 63YANOyano.co.krVisit source
- Reference 64BEVERAGETRADEbeveragetrade.comVisit source
- Reference 65COFFEEINSIGHTScoffeeinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 66SUGARPOLICYsugarpolicy.orgVisit source
- Reference 67KANTARWORLDPANELkantarworldpanel.comVisit source
- Reference 68GINSENGBOARDKOREAginsengboardkorea.comVisit source
- Reference 69SUMMERTASTEsummertaste.comVisit source
- Reference 70NON ALCBEERnon Alcbeer.comVisit source
- Reference 71VENDINGKOREAvendingkorea.or.krVisit source
- Reference 72ICEASSOCiceassoc.comVisit source
- Reference 73CJcj.co.krVisit source
- Reference 74HAITAIhaitai.comVisit source
- Reference 75GS25gs25.comVisit source
- Reference 76REDBULLredbull.comVisit source
- Reference 77YAMAZAKIyamazaki.co.krVisit source
- Reference 78WELLFOODwellfood.co.krVisit source
- Reference 79NONGSHIMnongshim.comVisit source
- Reference 80SPCGROUPspcgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 81CROWNHITEcrownhite.comVisit source
- Reference 82PEPSICOpepsico.co.krVisit source
- Reference 83KWINEkwine.or.krVisit source
- Reference 84EUROMAKGEOLLIeuromakgeolli.comVisit source
- Reference 85CHINA-KOFFEEchina-koffee.comVisit source
- Reference 86JAPANTRADEjapantrade.orgVisit source
- Reference 87ASEANBEVERAGESaseanbeverages.comVisit source
- Reference 88FAOfao.orgVisit source
- Reference 89USCRAFTBEERuscraftbeer.orgVisit source
- Reference 90AUSWINETOKOREAauswinetokorea.comVisit source