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Competitive Landscape
Rising Concentration, Premiumisation, and Global Brand Growth Shape Spirits
Spirits in South Korea are highly concentrated, with Hite Jinro holding a 65% total volume share and further strengthening its lead over the past five years, being the most dynamic player. The industry has become increasingly consolidated between 2020 and 2025, as Hite Jinro expanded its share from 61%, while the second-largest player, Lotte Chilsung, increased to 18% from 13% over the same period.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Spirits 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 Spirits 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 Spirits 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 Spirits in South Korea?
- Where is consumer demand for Spirits 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?
Spirits in South Korea - Category analysis
Key Data Insights
Spirits Summary
Chart 1 Key Industry Trends for Spirits
Spirits Records Value Growth Amid Polarisation and Subdued Volume Decline
Spirits Is Shaped by Soju Dominance, Premium Whisky Growth and Channel Polarisation
Chart 2 Korean soju brands cut ABV as consumers shift toward lighter drinking
Lotte and Hitejinro Adapt Soju for Moderation as Mindful Drinking Accelerates
Chart 3 Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 4 Volume Sales by Category 2025
Chart 5 Analyst Insight for Spirits
Premiumisation and Experience-Led Drinking Are Set to Drive Value over Volume Growth
Premium Growth and the Rise of Low-Alcohol Formats Will Shape the Forecast Period
Gdp Growth Moderates as Experience and Value Will Become Key Purchase Drivers
Chart 6 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 7 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Rising Concentration, Premiumisation, and Global Brand Growth Shape Spirits
Chart 8 Company Shares 2025
Chart 9 Brand Shares 2025
Hypermarkets Lead Off-Trade Spirits Sales, While Convenience Stores Remain Key for Immediate Purchases
Retail E-Commerce Plays a Niche but Growing Role in Premium Spirits Discovery
Chart 10 Economic Context for Spirits
Chart 11 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
Chart 12 Inflation 2020-2030
Chart 13 Consumer Context for Spirits
Chart 14 Population 2020-2030
Chart 15 Population by Generation 2025
Alcoholic Drinks in South Korea - Industry Overview
2025 Developments
Key Data Insights
Chart 16 Key Industry Trends for Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic Drinks Volumes Remain Flat as Inflation and Premiumisation Drive Value Growth
Spirits Polarisation Intensifies as Whisky Demand Splits between Value and Premium Segments
Chart 17 The whisky market splits into value highball picks and premium gifting favourites
Nolo Revolution Drives Strong Growth for Rtds as Moderation and Wellness Reshape Drinking Culture
Chart 18 Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 19 Volume Sales by Category 2025
Chart 20 Analyst Insight for Alcoholic Drinks
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
Chart 21 Korean Soju brands expand low ABV lines to align with the rising interest in moderation
Future Growth Is Set to Be Shaped by a Shift to Quality, Affordability and Moderation
Chart 22 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 23 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Market Concentration Remains High with Stable Leadership among Domestic Players
Competitive Dynamics Are Shaped by Portfolio Innovation, Premiumisation and Nolo Expansion
Chart 24 Company Shares 2025
Chart 25 Brand Shares 2025
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
Chart 26 Economic Context for Alcoholic Drinks
Chart 27 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
Chart 28 Inflation 2020-2030
Chart 29 Consumer Context for Alcoholic Drinks
Chart 30 Population 2020-2030
Chart 31 Population by Generation 2025
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Spirits
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- Brandy
- Cognac
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- Bitters
- Cream-based Liqueurs
- Other Liqueurs
- Non Alcoholic Spirits
-
-
- Prestige Dark Rum
- Ultra Premium Dark Rum
- Super Premium Dark Rum
- Premium Dark Rum
- Standard Dark Rum
- Economy Dark Rum
-
- Prestige White Rum
- Ultra Premium White Rum
- Super Premium White Rum
- Premium White Rum
- Standard White Rum
- Economy White Rum
-
- Tequila (and Mezcal)
-
- Bourbon/Other US Whiskey
- Canadian Whisky
- Irish Whiskey
- Japanese Whisky
-
-
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
-
- Prestige Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Ultra Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Super Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Standard Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Economy Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
-
- Other Whiskies
-
-
-
- Prestige English Gin
- Ultra Premium English Gin
- Super Premium English Gin
- Premium English Gin
- Standard English Gin
- Economy English Gin
- Dutch Gin
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-
- Prestige Vodka
- Ultra Premium Vodka
- Super Premium Vodka
- Premium Vodka
- Standard Vodka
- Economy Vodka
-
-
- Absinthe
- Ad-Mix Brandy
- Ad-Mix Gin
- Ad-Mix Rum
- Ad-Mix Vodka
- Ad-Mix Whisky
- Aguardente/Aguardiente
- Aguardiente De Caña
- Akvavit/Aquavit
- Aniseed-Flavoured Spirits
- Borovicka
- Boukha
- Brandy Type Distilled Spirits
- Cachaça
- Calvados
- Cane
- Chacha
- Charanda
- Chinese Herbal Spirits
- Chinese Spirits
- Cut Brandy
- Destilados De Agave
- Distilled Fruit Spirits
- Domestic Brandy
- Domestic Rum
- Doppelkorn
- Economy Chinese Spirits
- Flavoured Spirits
- Flavoured Vodka-based Drinks
- Fynbos gin/Local Gin
- Gin-flavoured spirits
- Goldbrand/Goldkrone
- Grappa
- Grappamiel
- Guaro
- Kirsch
- Komovica
- Korn
- Lambanog
- Limoncello
- Local White Spirits
- Lower Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Lozovaca
- Maesilju
- Mahia Rabi Amrane
- Mead
- Mixed Spirits
- Nalivka/Nalewka
- Nastoyka
- National Specialities
- Obstbrände
- Ouzo
- Pacharán
- Palinca/Pálinka
- Pear and Apple Distillates
- Pisco
- Premium Chinese Spirits
- Prune
- Punsch
- Rachiu/Rakija
- Rum-Flavoured Spirits
- Samane
- Sambuca
- Samsu
- Schnapps
- Shochu/Soju
- Singani
- Sljivovica/Slivovice
- Steinhäeger
- Strong African Spirits
- Super Premium Chinese Spirits
- Sura Khao
- Tequila Flavoured Spirits
- Travarica
- Tsipouro
- Upper Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Vieux
- Viina
- Vodka Type Distilled Spirits
- Other Distilled Beverages
Spirits
This is the aggregation of whisk(e)y, brandy and Cognac, white spirits, rum, tequila, liqueurs and other spirits.
See all of our definitions
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This report originates from Passport, our Spirits research and analysis database.
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