S. Korea`s imports of bottled water boom last year

SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's imports of bottled water jumped last
year on increasing consumer demand for fresh and high-priced water from European
makers, a report showed Monday.
According to the report by the Korea Customs Office, the nation imported a total
of US$6.6 million worth of bottled water last year, up 15 percent from a year
earlier.
The increase came mostly from high-priced bottled water products imported from
France which was estimated at $5 million or 76 percent of the total, the report
showed. Spain and Italy came next with $420,000 and $264,000, respectively.
Imports of bottled water have been increasing steadily over the past years. In
2004, their imports stood at $2.16 million before jumping to $5.21 million in
2007 and $5.78 million in 2008, the report showed.
South Korea's exports of water products also spiked last year, with overseas
shipments valued at $4.9 million last year, up 38 percent from a year earlier.
Most of the exports went to the United States, China and Japan, according to the
report.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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