Hite Brewery's exports to Japan hit all-time high in Jan-Nov

SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- Hite Brewery Co., South Korea's No. 1 brewer, said
Friday that its beer exports to Japan hit an all-time high in the first 11 months
of this year thanks mainly to increasing popularity of its beer-flavored
alcoholic beverages in the neighboring country.
The brewer's shipments to Japan jumped 54.2 percent from a year ago to 4.33
million cases in the January-November period. One case contains 24
350-milliliters cans. In terms of value, the exports came to US$25.54 million, up
69.3 percent from a year earlier, Hite Brewery said.
The company's market share in Japan has secured top place in the country's
imported beer market. Imported beers in Japan include beer-like beverages, dubbed
as the third-category beer, and low-malt "happoshu" beer.
Third-category beers, or those made of nonmalt ingredients, are widely popular in
Japan for their low price and similar taste to traditional beers.
Hite Brewery's third-category beers including Prime Draft have played a major
role in expanding its sales in Japan, the company said.
The company set a record high in 2008 when its shipments to Japan skyrocketed
119.7 percent from a year ago.
jia@yna.co.kr
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