The production of soju has hit a record high this year, surpassing 581,000 kiloliters from January to May, data showed Thursday.

According to Statistics Korea, soju production rose 0.4 percent on-year to reach 581,563 kiloliters. This is equivalent to nearly 30 bottles of soju per Korean person.


The number includes different variations on soju, such as those infused with fruit flavors.

The spike in soju production is attributed by many industry watchers to a sluggish economy. Soju is one of the cheapest alcoholic beverages widely available in Korea, at about 1,500 won ($1.30) per bottle at supermarkets and convenience stores. While sales of more expensive liquors such as whiskey have been going downhill for several years, sales of soju have gone up.

A spokesperson for Lotte Chilsung Liquor, which makes Cheoeumcheoreom, one of the leading soju brands, said that changes in demographics among soju drinkers and new products may also have to do with the increase.

“The number of people drinking soju is on the rise, with more women entering the workforce and joining in the drinking culture,” she said.

“The economy might be a part of the reason for the increase, but changes among the consumers themselves seem to be more important.”

She also noted that liquor companies were continuously coming out with new products to try and capture a larger market, bringing in drinkers who had previously stayed away from soju.

Another factor is the rising popularity of regional soju makers who are breaking into markets outside of their home regions.

The amount of soju produced per person per year in Korea has increased steadily since 2013, from 80.1 bottles to 86.0 bottles in 2014 and 90.4 bottles in 2015.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)