S. Korea more than double wine imports in Q1

South Korea imported $109.7 million worth of wine in the first quarter, up 115.4 percent on-year, according to the data by the Korea Customs Service.

It was the first time for first-quarter wine imports to exceed $100 million in value.

The volume of wine imports also soared 86.4 percent on-year to 15,473 tons, the highest tally for the first quarter.

The first-quarter jump in wine imports was attributed to pandemic-induced social distancing measures that prompted people to enjoy wine at home instead of going to bars.

Red wine imports were the largest at $84.09 million, followed by white wine with $22.40 million.

France was the leading exporter of red wine to South Korea with $19.66 million, followed by the US with $17.51 million, Chile with $17.39 million, and Italy with $12.16 million.