ID :
199078
Thu, 08/04/2011 - 08:31
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/199078
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Asahi becomes best-selling imported beer in S. Korea
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- Asahi has become the best-selling imported beer in South Korea for the first time ever by outselling rivals such as Heineken and Miller, industry sources said Thursday.
Sources said the market share of beer made by Japan's Ashai Breweries Ltd. reached 28 percent in the first half of the year, outpacing the 26 percent reached by Netherlands-based Heineken International.
Beer made by Miller Brewing Co. of the United States came in third with a market share of 20 percent in the January-June period, followed Irish brewer Guinness with 10 percent.
In 2010, Heineken ranked first with its share of the imported beer market topping 26 percent. Asahi, Miller and Guinness trailed, with numbers for Asahi and Miller reaching 25 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
The Japanese company, which first entered the South Korean market by setting up the joint venture Lotte Asahi Liquor Co. in 2004, has made steady inroads. The company's draft beer, in particular, has been well received by South Korean consumers for its clean, refreshing taste.
"Asahi's success is mainly based on its competitiveness in the draft beer field that depends on freshness to appeal to consumers," a Lotte Asahi manager said.
Gains made by Asahi and other brewers in recent years have helped to push up sales of imported beer to 3 percent of the total South Korean market in recent months, up from an average of 1 percent in the past.
South Korea's beer market is currently dominated by Hite Brewery Co., the largest producer of the alcoholic beverage in the country, and Oriental Brewery Co.
Sources said the market share of beer made by Japan's Ashai Breweries Ltd. reached 28 percent in the first half of the year, outpacing the 26 percent reached by Netherlands-based Heineken International.
Beer made by Miller Brewing Co. of the United States came in third with a market share of 20 percent in the January-June period, followed Irish brewer Guinness with 10 percent.
In 2010, Heineken ranked first with its share of the imported beer market topping 26 percent. Asahi, Miller and Guinness trailed, with numbers for Asahi and Miller reaching 25 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
The Japanese company, which first entered the South Korean market by setting up the joint venture Lotte Asahi Liquor Co. in 2004, has made steady inroads. The company's draft beer, in particular, has been well received by South Korean consumers for its clean, refreshing taste.
"Asahi's success is mainly based on its competitiveness in the draft beer field that depends on freshness to appeal to consumers," a Lotte Asahi manager said.
Gains made by Asahi and other brewers in recent years have helped to push up sales of imported beer to 3 percent of the total South Korean market in recent months, up from an average of 1 percent in the past.
South Korea's beer market is currently dominated by Hite Brewery Co., the largest producer of the alcoholic beverage in the country, and Oriental Brewery Co.
