Exports of S. Korean rice wine more than double

SEOUL, Aug. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports of its traditional rice wine, makgeolli, have more than doubled so far this year on increasing demand in Japan and other countries, a government report showed Tuesday.
The country shipped 27,390 tons of makgeolli in the January-July period, up 138 percent from the 11,521 tons exported during the same period of last year, according to the report by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The amount, in terms of revenue, more than tripled to more than US$33 million from a little more than $10 million over the cited period. The country's total exports of the rice wine in 2010 amounted to $19 million.
"Exports jumped 206 percent on-year to $33.3 million following the development of new products to meet the taste of Japanese consumers who prefer sweet and low-alcohol beverages," the report said.
In the cited period, South Korea's exports of makgeolli to Japan jumped 245 percent to $30.8 million, accounting for nearly 93 percent of all its exports.
Shipments to China also soared 48.4 percent on-year to $744,000 with exports to the U.S. rising 4.8 percent to $1.14 million, according to the report.
South Korea currently exports makgeolli to 26 other countries.
"Exports are expected to reach $50 million this year as the popularity of makgeolli in the Japanese market is expected to continue into the second half of the year," the report said.