The Korea Customs Service on May 17 said its data showed that imports of Japanese beer reached USD 3.07 million last month. Shown are Japanese beer on display at a convenience store in Korea. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Seon Ah

Imports of Japanese beer soared last month.

Trade data from the Korea Customs Service released on May 17 said such imports reached an estimated USD 3.07 million in April, an incredible 866.7% jump from just USD 318,000 in the same month last year.

The volume of beer imports from Japan also shot up 851.7% to 3,870 tons from 406.6 tons over the same period.

The amount and volume of such items were the highest since July 2019, when Japan placed export restrictions on Korea.

In the wake of the restrictions, campaigns in Korea erupted urging a boycott of Japanese beer. The value of such imports thus plummeted from several million dollars to USD 6,000 in September 2019. 

The import volume has since gradually grown to exceed USD 1 million in March last year (USD 1.5 million) and broke the USD 2 million mark in January this year. 

Last month, the figure exceeded USD 3 million.

Also in April, beer exports to Japan of USD 875,000 led to a trade deficit in the sector of USD 2.19 million.

sofiakim218@korea.kr