Korean rice wine exports rise in H1
Exports of the Korean rice wine "makgeolli", a milky brew with an alcohol content of 6 to 7 percent, stood at $2.13 million or 2,635 tons during the same period, the National Tax Service said in a report.
Makgeolli was the liquor of choice for Korean farmers and manual workers until the 1970s, but lost market share to Western drinks such as beer and whisky as well as soju, Korean traditional distilled liquor.
The fermented drink started regaining popularity this year in Korea after being found to have health benefits.
Japan was the biggest makgeolli importer with 2,336 tons in the first half, accounting for 89 percent of Korea's overall makgeolli exports, followed by the United States with 159 tons, China with 57 tons and Australia with 20 tons.
Korea's makgeolli exports grew eight-fold to $4.42 million or 5,457 tons in 2008 from $614,000 tons or 631 tons in 1998.
Exports of soju, however, fell 7 percent to 50.7 million or 36,694 tons in the January-June period from a year ago.
Japan, the biggest soju importer in the first half of this year, imported 29,561 tons of soju, representing 81 percent of South Korea's overall soju exports.
Japan was trailed by the United States with 3,174 tons, China with 1,949 tons and the Philippines with 369 tons.