S. Korea's alcoholic beverage output falls to 27-year low in 2025 amid shifting drinking trends

Seoul, August 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's alcoholic beverage production plummeted to a 27-year low in 2025, data revealed on Sunday, indicating a fundamental decline in the sector as more Koreans embrace healthier lifestyles. Shipments of beer and soju have declined for three consecutive years since 2022, while takju, or traditional Korean rice liquor, has dropped for five consecutive years by 2025, according to figures from the National Tax Service.

The total output of alcoholic beverages reached just under 2.99 million kiloliters (kl) in 2025, the first time since 1998 that it fell below the 3 million kl threshold. By category, beer shipments amounted to approximately 1.52 million kl last year, a 7.2 percent decrease from the previous year. Soju and takju shipments also experienced steady declines, totaling 793,000 kl and 318,000 kl, respectively.

This sustained decline in shipments of the three popular alcoholic beverages suggests a significant shift in drinking habits, influenced by heightened health consciousness, declining population, aging demographic, and evolving perspectives on late-night socializing. The agriculture ministry's report further suggested that both alcohol consumption volume and frequency have diminished recently, with many consumers opting for specific types of drinks or exploring new beverages.

Domestic shipments of fruit wines, for example, reached 17,000 kl last year, marking the first time this figure surpassed 17,000 kl since 2021. The alcohol industry has responded to the decline by introducing new non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages, as well as products with diverse flavors and aromas, to mitigate the drop in shipments of traditional alcoholic drinks.