South Korea’s alcoholic beverage production fell below 3 million kilolitres (kl) for the first time in 27 years in 2025, data showed on Sunday, signalling a structural decline in the industry as more South Koreans turn towards healthier lifestyles.
Shipments of beer and soju have declined for three consecutive years since 2022, while shipments of takju, or traditional Korean rice liquor, have fallen for five consecutive years as of 2025, according to data from the National Tax Service.
Total alcoholic beverage production stood at just under 2.99 million kl last year, marking the first time since 1998 that production fell below the 3 million-kl mark, Yonhap News Agency reported.
By category, beer shipments stood at around 1.52 million kl last year, down 7.2 per cent from a year earlier. Shipments of soju and takju also continued to decline, reaching 793,000 kl and 318,000 kl, respectively.
The prolonged decline in shipments of the three popular alcoholic beverages appears to reflect a structural shift in drinking habits, driven by growing health consciousness, population decline, an ageing population and changing attitudes towards late-night gatherings.
A report by the agriculture ministry showed that both the volume and frequency of alcohol consumption have declined in recent years, with consumers increasingly opting for specific types of drinks or experimenting with new beverages.
Meanwhile, domestic shipments of fruit wines stood at 17,000 kl last year, exceeding the 17,000-kl mark for the first time since 2021.
The alcohol industry has been introducing new non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages, along with products featuring a variety of flavours and aromas, to offset the decline in shipments of traditional alcoholic drinks.
The decline comes amid a growing focus on health and wellness, as well as changes in corporate culture following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Separate data showed that alcoholic beverage shipments in South Korea stood at 3.15 million kl in 2024, down 17.3 per cent from a decade earlier. (IANS)
