South Korea: Guinness sales up 47% in 2010

Diageo, producer and distributor of the world’s best-selling premium stout, said on September, 22 that sales of Guinness jumped 47 percent in South Korea last year, and hopes it will become one of the top three imported beers in three years, The Korea Times report.

Korea is one of the fastest growing markets for Guinness, which is gaining more popularity especially from young female consumers for its low calories, flavored taste and beautiful color.

“The market growth is very good. The volume is small, but it is increasing. Consumers and drinkers in Korea love beer, you enjoy good beer so it’s expected to help us grow,” said Fergal Murray, a master brewer of Diageo during a press conference held at the company’s warehouse in Dublin, the home of Guinness.

According to industrial statistics, Japanese brand Asahi topped the imported beer market in Korea in the first half of this year accounting for 28 percent of market.

The brand pushed long-time leader Heineken from the Netherlands to second place by 2 percentage points. Miller of the United States came third with 20 percent, while Guinness ranked fourth with one tenth of the market.

23 September, 2011