South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Report: Trends, Growth and Forecast (2026-2032)
By Type (Beer, Cider/Perry, RTDs, Spirits, Wine), By Alcohol Content (High, Medium, Low), By Flavor (Unflavored, Flavored), By Packaging Type (Glass Bottles, Tins, Plastic Bottles, Others), By Sales Channel (On-Trade, Off-Trade (Retail Offline, Retail Online))
- Food & Beverage
- Oct 2025
- VI0463
- 130
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South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Statistics and Insights, 2026
- Market Size Statistics
- Alcoholic Drinks in South Korea is estimated at $ 25.94 Billion.
- The market size is expected to grow to $ 29.43 Billion by 2032.
- Market to register a CAGR of around 1.82% during 2026-32.
- Type Shares
- Spirits grabbed market share of 52%.
- Competition
- More than 10 companies are actively engaged in producing Alcoholic Drinks in South Korea .
- Top 5 companies acquired 75% of the market share.
- Daesun Distilling Co Ltd, Kumbokju Co Ltd, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, Hite Jinro Co Ltd, Anheuser-Busch InBev NV etc., are few of the top companies.
- Sales Channel
- On-Trade grabbed 65% of the market.
South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Outlook
The South Korea Alcoholic Drinks market is forecast to reach $25.94 Billion in 2025 and $29.43 Billion by 2032. During the forecast period, the market will keep changing with end users increasingly focusing on taste, experience, and health. The mindful drinking trend and the increased use of low and no-alcohol drinks will continue, indicating a shift from boozing to drinking for lifestyle and enjoyment.
Beer will continue to dominate as the biggest volume category, though the growth will be limited as young end users increasingly turn to RTDs (Ready-to-Drink Alcoholic Drinks) because they are convenient, offer a variety of flavours, and contain lower alcohol. RTDs will also spur dynamic market growth, both locally and to other major Southeast Asian markets. Quality spirits, such as whisky and soju, will continue to have consistent demand from upper-income groups based on the increasing desire for quality and value-seeking consumption.
On-trade channels will maintain a dominant position, and they currently represent around 65% of the market, led by bars, restaurants, and upscale dining. Off-trade channels, such as convenience stores, hypermarkets, and retail e-commerce websites, meanwhile, will continue to grow, with end users increasingly adopting smart ordering and home drinking. These channels also will fuel increasing popularity of low alcohol, premium, and innovative new product launches.
Future market growth will concentrate on product innovation, such as reduced alcohol drinks, flavour diversification, and premiumization with solid brand heritage. Health-aware and experience-oriented shoppers will remain at the forefront of the market, with organizations set to diversify portfolios and widen reach to capture changing end user tastes, driving continued growth over the period of the forecast.
South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Growth Driver
Rising Demand for Health-Focused and Low-Alcohol Beverages
End users in South Korean increasingly emphasize conscious drinking, prioritizing taste, experience, and health over alcohol consumption as a means of getting drunk. This has generated increasing demand for low-alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, setting companies to innovate their products with wide-ranging flavors and packaging. Local and foreign players are proactively reacting to these tastes, making product portfolios suit changing end user lifestyles.
This change in consumption trends benefits the overall Alcoholic Drinks market, with growth in both value and volume. Aligning products with health-focused trends allows companies to appeal to young adults and increase their end users base. Emphasis on lower-alcohol and non-alcoholic products also fuels innovation, enabling brands to stand out and stay relevant in a competitive market setting.
South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Trend
Surge in Popularity of Ready-to-Drink Alcoholic Beverages
Ready-to-Drink alcohol drinks (RTDs) are increasingly popular in South Korea, especially among young legal-drinking-age end users. Ready-to-Drink alcohol drinks (RTDs) appeal to end users due to their convenience, less potent alcohol, and wide range of flavours, rendering them a popular choice for social and at-home consumption.
The frequent introduction of new RTD products and intense promotions in hypermarkets and convenience stores underpin the segment's fast growth. Moreover, increased fascination with low-alcohol highballs and new-style mixes also contributes to the drive for RTD. This consumption pattern is indicative of larger trends in end user behavior towards convenient, lifestyle-conforming Alcoholic Drinks, transforming the market dynamics and informing product development strategy.
South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Opportunity
Increasing Demand for Premium and Heritage-Oriented Drinks
There is growing potential for alcoholic beverages that highlight premium quality, heritage, and unique brand stories. Younger South Korean end users will increasingly value taste, experience, and the values a brand stands for over simply the price or alcohol level. This will prompt business houses to introduce products that emphasize social sustainability, brand heritage, or cultural heritage, targeting end users who are prepared to pay more for substantial experiences.
Moreover, low and no alcohol drinks trend and movement towards conscious drinking will provide room for novel product lines that will bring together health awareness and premium experiences. By creating products that appeal to both value-for-money low-cost options and top-shelf, narrative-driven drinks, firms will be able to differentiate and reach a broader consumer base, leading to market growth.
South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Segmentation Analysis
By Type
- Beer
- Cider/Perry
- RTDs
- Spirits
- Wine
The segment with highest market share under type segment is spirits, which had a market share of 52% in South Korean Alcoholic Drinks. Spirits continue to be the most consumed category based on the popularity of traditional soju, whiskey, and other distilled drinks. Lower-alcohol versions and new flavours continue to sustain interest amongst younger end users, and premium and craft categories continue to appeal to high-income segments.
Besides, ready-to-consume Alcoholic Drinks and low-alcohol drinks are slowly defining the spirits segment. The increasing use of mixology at home and the growing need for easy-to-consume but flavorful Alcoholic Drinks are likely to sustain steady growth. Lower-alcohol soju and mixed-pack cocktail-ready spirits are poised to sustain end user interest, solidifying spirits as the top category in South Korea during the forecast period.
By Sales Channel
- On-Trade
- Off-Trade
The segment with highest market share under sales channel is on-trade, which accounts for 65% of South Korea Alcoholic Drinks market. Bars, pubs, and restaurants continue to be at the center of spirits and premium drinks consumption, as younger end users crave variety in drinking and high-quality dining. Even in times of economic duress, on-trade outlets are buoyed by premium drinks and the social nature of consumption.
Besides, the on-trade channel innovates further with innovative cocktails, promotions, and premium pairings, pulling in both new and traditional end users. Conveniences stores and online platforms backup off-trade sales, but the experiential consumption nature of on-trade guarantees dominance by value. On-trade will continue to be the top channel for Alcoholic Drinks, especially premium spirits and specialty drinks, during the forecast period
Top Companies in South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market
The top companies operating in the market include Daesun Distilling Co Ltd, Kumbokju Co Ltd, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, Hite Jinro Co Ltd, Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, Lotte Group, Seoul Takju Association, Muhak Co Ltd, Kooksoondang Brewery Co Ltd, Bohae Brewery Co Ltd, etc., are the top players operating in the South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Report
1. Market Segmentation
1.1. Research Scope
1.2. Research Methodology
1.3. Definitions and Assumptions
2. Executive Summary
3. South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Policies, Regulations, and Standards
4. South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Dynamics
4.1. Growth Factors
4.2. Challenges
4.3. Trends
4.4. Opportunities
5. South Korea Alcoholic Drinks Market Statistics, 2022-2032F
5.1. Market Size & Growth Outlook
5.1.1. By Revenues in US$ Million
5.1.2. By Quantity Sold in Million Litres
5.2. Market Segmentation & Growth Outlook
5.2.1. By Type
5.2.1.1. Beer- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.1.2. Cider/Perry- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.1.3. RTDs- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.1.4. Spirits- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.1.5. Wine- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.2. By Alcohol Content
5.2.2.1. High- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.2.2. Medium- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.2.3. Low- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.3. By Flavor
5.2.3.1. Unflavored- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.3.2. Flavored- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.4. By Packaging Type
5.2.4.1. Glass Bottles- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.4.2. Tins- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.4.3. Plastic Bottles- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.4.4. Others- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.5. By Sales Channel
5.2.5.1. On-Trade- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.5.2. Off-Trade- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.5.2.1. Retail Offline- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.5.2.2. Retail Online- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
5.2.6. By Competitors
5.2.6.1. Competition Characteristics
5.2.6.2. Market Share & Analysis
6. South Korea Beer Market Statistics, 2022-2032F
6.1. Market Size & Growth Outlook
6.1.1. By Revenues in US$ Million
6.1.2. By Quantity Sold in Million Litres
6.2. Market Segmentation & Growth Outlook
6.2.1. By Alcohol Content- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
6.2.2. By Flavor- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
6.2.3. By Packaging Type- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
6.2.4. By Sales Channel- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
7. South Korea Cider/Perry Market Statistics, 2022-2032F
7.1. Market Size & Growth Outlook
7.1.1. By Revenues in US$ Million
7.1.2. By Quantity Sold in Million Litres
7.2. Market Segmentation & Growth Outlook
7.2.1. By Alcohol Content- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
7.2.2. By Flavor- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
7.2.3. By Packaging Type- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
7.2.4. By Sales Channel- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
8. South Korea Ready-to-Drink Market Statistics, 2022-2032F
8.1. Market Size & Growth Outlook
8.1.1. By Revenues in US$ Million
8.1.2. By Quantity Sold in Million Litres
8.2. Market Segmentation & Growth Outlook
8.2.1. By Alcohol Content- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
8.2.2. By Flavor- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
8.2.3. By Packaging Type- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
8.2.4. By Sales Channel- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
9. South Korea Spirits Market Statistics, 2022-2032F
9.1. Market Size & Growth Outlook
9.1.1. By Revenues in US$ Million
9.1.2. By Quantity Sold in Million Litres
9.2. Market Segmentation & Growth Outlook
9.2.1. By Alcohol Content- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
9.2.2. By Flavor- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
9.2.3. By Packaging Type- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
9.2.4. By Sales Channel- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
10. South Korea Wine Market Statistics, 2022-2032F
10.1.Market Size & Growth Outlook
10.1.1. By Revenues in US$ Million
10.1.2. By Quantity Sold in Million Litres
10.2.Market Segmentation & Growth Outlook
10.2.1. By Alcohol Content- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
10.2.2. By Flavor- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
10.2.3. By Packaging Type- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
10.2.4. By Sales Channel- Market Insights and Forecast 2022-2032, USD Million
11. Competitive Outlook
11.1.Company Profiles
11.1.1. Hite Jinro Co Ltd
11.1.1.1. Business Description
11.1.1.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.1.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.1.4. Recent Developments
11.1.1.5. Financial Details
11.1.1.6. Others
11.1.2. Anheuser-Busch InBev NV
11.1.2.1. Business Description
11.1.2.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.2.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.2.4. Recent Developments
11.1.2.5. Financial Details
11.1.2.6. Others
11.1.3. Lotte Group
11.1.3.1. Business Description
11.1.3.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.3.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.3.4. Recent Developments
11.1.3.5. Financial Details
11.1.3.6. Others
11.1.4. Seoul Takju Association
11.1.4.1. Business Description
11.1.4.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.4.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.4.4. Recent Developments
11.1.4.5. Financial Details
11.1.4.6. Others
11.1.5. Muhak Co Ltd
11.1.5.1. Business Description
11.1.5.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.5.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.5.4. Recent Developments
11.1.5.5. Financial Details
11.1.5.6. Others
11.1.6. Daesun Distilling Co Ltd
11.1.6.1. Business Description
11.1.6.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.6.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.6.4. Recent Developments
11.1.6.5. Financial Details
11.1.6.6. Others
11.1.7. Kumbokju Co Ltd
11.1.7.1. Business Description
11.1.7.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.7.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.7.4. Recent Developments
11.1.7.5. Financial Details
11.1.7.6. Others
11.1.8. Asahi Group Holdings Ltd
11.1.8.1. Business Description
11.1.8.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.8.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.8.4. Recent Developments
11.1.8.5. Financial Details
11.1.8.6. Others
11.1.9. Kooksoondang Brewery Co Ltd
11.1.9.1. Business Description
11.1.9.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.9.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.9.4. Recent Developments
11.1.9.5. Financial Details
11.1.9.6. Others
11.1.10. Bohae Brewery Co Ltd
11.1.10.1. Business Description
11.1.10.2. Product Portfolio
11.1.10.3. Collaborations & Alliances
11.1.10.4. Recent Developments
11.1.10.5. Financial Details
11.1.10.6. Others
12. Disclaimer
| Segment | Sub-Segment |
|---|---|
| By Type |
|
| By Alcohol Content |
|
| By Flavor |
|
| By Packaging Type |
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| By Sales Channel |
|
Research Methodology
This study followed a structured approach comprising four key phases to assess the size and scope of the electro-oxidation market. The process began with thorough secondary research to collect data on the target market, related markets, and broader industry context. These findings, along with preliminary assumptions and estimates, were then validated through extensive primary research involving industry experts from across the value chain. To calculate the overall market size, both top-down and bottom-up methodologies were employed. Finally, market segmentation and data triangulation techniques were applied to refine and validate segment-level estimations.
Secondary Research
The secondary research phase involved gathering data from a wide range of credible and published sources. This step helped in identifying industry trends, defining market segmentation, and understanding the market landscape and value chain.
Sources consulted during this phase included:
- Company annual reports, investor presentations, and press releases
- Industry white papers and certified publications
- Trade directories and market-recognized databases
- Articles from authoritative authors and reputable journals
- Gold and silver standard websites
Secondary research was critical in mapping out the industry's value chain and monetary flow, identifying key market segments, understanding regional variations, and tracking significant industry developments.
Other key sources:
- Financial disclosures
- Industry associations and trade bodies
- News outlets and business magazines
- Academic journals and research studies
- Paid industry databases
Primary Research
To validate secondary data and gain deeper market insights, primary research was conducted with key stakeholders across both the supply and demand sides of the market.
On the demand side, participants included decision-makers and influencers from end-user industries—such as CIOs, CTOs, and CSOs—who provided first-hand perspectives on market needs, product usage, and future expectations.
On the supply side, interviews were conducted with manufacturers, industry associations, and institutional participants to gather insights into current offerings, product pipelines, and market challenges.
Primary interviews provided critical inputs such as:
- Market size and revenue data
- Product and service breakdowns
- Market forecasts
- Regional and application-specific trends
Stakeholders consulted included:
- Leading OEM and solution providers
- Channel and distribution partners
- End users across various applications
- Independent consultants and industry specialists
Market Size Estimation and Data Triangulation
- Identifying Key Market Participants (Secondary Research)
- Goal: To identify the major players or companies in the target market. This typically involves using publicly available data sources such as industry reports, market research publications, and financial statements of companies.
- Tools: Reports from firms like Gartner, Forrester, Euromonitor, Statista, IBISWorld, and others. Public financial statements, news articles, and press releases from top market players.
- Extracting Earnings of Key Market Participants
- Goal: To estimate the earnings generated from the product or service being analyzed. This step helps in understanding the revenue potential of each market player in a specific geography.
- Methods: Earnings data can be gathered from:
- Publicly available financial reports (for listed companies).
- Interviews and primary data sources from professionals, such as Directors, VPs, SVPs, etc. This is especially useful for understanding more nuanced, internal data that isn't publicly disclosed.
- Annual reports and investor presentations of key players.
- Data Collation and Development of a Relevant Data Model
- Goal: To collate inputs from both primary and secondary sources into a structured, data-driven model for market estimation. This model will incorporate key market KPIs and any independent variables relevant to the market.
- Key KPIs: These could include:
- Market size, growth rate, and demand drivers.
- Industry-specific metrics like market share, average revenue per customer (ARPC), or average deal size.
- External variables, such as economic growth rates, inflation rates, or commodity prices, that could affect the market.
- Data Modeling: Based on this data, the market forecasts are developed for the next 5 years. A combination of trend analysis, scenario modeling, and statistical regression might be used to generate projections.
- Scenario Analysis
- Goal: To test different assumptions and validate how sensitive the market is to changes in key variables (e.g., market demand, regulatory changes, technological disruptions).
- Types of Scenarios:
- Base Case: Based on current assumptions and historical data.
- Best-Case Scenario: Assuming favorable market conditions, regulatory environments, and technological advancements.
- Worst-Case Scenario: Accounting for adverse factors, such as economic downturns, stricter regulations, or unexpected disruptions.
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