Competitive Landscape
Beer Remains Highly Concentrated as Oriental Brewery and Hite Jinro Sustain Dominance Amid Rising Premiumisation and No/Low Alcohol Innovation
Beer remains a highly concentrated market, with the top two companies continuing to dominate in 2025. Oriental Brewery (OB) held a 52% share of total volume, followed by Hite Jinro at 26%, together accounting for more than three-quarters of total beer sales.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Beer industry in South Korea with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
If you're in the Beer industry in South Korea, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty
The Beer in South Korea report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Beer in South Korea?
- Where is consumer demand for Beer focussed?
- Which is being consumed more; beer, wine or spirits?
- Where is demand growing? Stagnating?
- How is the operating environment for alcoholic drinks changing?
- Which are the leading brands in South Korea?
- How are products distributed in South Korea?
- What are the key trends in new product development?
- Do consumers want value for money or added value?
- How will macroeconomic context and shifting cultural values shape future growth?
- How will COVID-19 and recession impact the alcoholic drinks industry?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Beer in South Korea - Category analysis
Key Data Insights
Beer Summary
South Korean Beer Market Stagnates as Moderation Pressures Persist
Non/Low Alcohol Beer Innovation Drives Functional Growth Amid South Korea’S Moderation-Led Market
Heritage-Led Premiumisation and Packaging Innovation Reshape Beer
Beer Outlook Remains Structurally Constrained as Regulation, Moderation, and Alternative Categories Reshape Demand
Non/Low Alcohol Beer Will Lead Growth as Wellness Trends Reshape Beer Consumption
Beer Remains Highly Concentrated as Oriental Brewery and Hite Jinro Sustain Dominance Amid Rising Premiumisation and No/Low Alcohol Innovation
Convenience Stores Sustain Dominance as Hypermarkets Drive Bulk Buying
Low/No Alcohol Beer Leverages Retail E-Commerce for Steady Gains
Heritage-Led Premiumisation and Flavour Innovation Reshape South Korea’S Beer Market
Packaging Innovation and Strategic Pricing Influence Competitive Dynamics
Alcoholic Drinks in South Korea - Industry Overview
2025 Developments
Key Data Insights
Alcoholic Drinks Volumes Remain Flat as Inflation and Premiumisation Drive Value Growth
Spirits Polarisation Intensifies as Whisky Demand Splits between Value and Premium Segments
Nolo Revolution Drives Strong Growth for Rtds as Moderation and Wellness Reshape Drinking Culture
Alcoholic Drinks Will Be Marked by Flat Volumes and Value-Led Growth Dynamics
Spirits Will Remain Stable While Rtds Drive Growth Amid Shift toward Low-Abv and Convenience-Led Drinking
Future Growth Is Set to Be Shaped by a Shift to Quality, Affordability and Moderation
Market Concentration Remains High with Stable Leadership among Domestic Players
Competitive Dynamics Are Shaped by Portfolio Innovation, Premiumisation and Nolo Expansion
Convenience Stores Extend Reach as Small Formats Boost Sales
Retail E-Commerce and Omni-Channel Strategies Steadily Gain Traction
Legislation
Legal Purchasing Age and Legal Drinking Age
Drink-Driving
Advertising
Smoking Ban
Opening Hours
On-Trade Establishments
Taxation and Duty Levies
Contraband/Parallel Trade
Duty Free
Cross-Border/Private Imports
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Beer
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- Ale
- Sorghum
- Weissbier/Weizen/Wheat Beer
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- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
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- Domestic Premium Lager
- Imported Premium Lager
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- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
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- Domestic Economy Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
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- Domestic Premium Lager
- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Domestic Economy Lager
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- Imported Premium Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
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- Low Alcohol Beer
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- Standard Non Alcoholic Beer
- Malta Style Non Alcoholic Beer
- Stout
Beer
An alcoholic drink usually brewed from malt, sugar, hops and water and fermented with yeast. Some beers are made by fermenting a cereal, especially barley, and therefore not flavoured by hops. Alcohol content for beer is varied – anything up to and over 14% ABV (alcohol by volume), although 3.5% to 5% is most common. Beer is the aggregation of lager, dark beer, stout and non/low alcohol beer.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders.
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats.
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions.
This report originates from Passport, our Beer research and analysis database.
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