HITEJINRO began producing Kirin Brewery’s Kirin Ichiban canned beer in South Korea. Production at the Jeonju plant shifts supply from imports of Japanese-made products to domestic supply, with initial production of approximately 1.5 million liters and shipments beginning in the first week of October.
South Korean liquor giant HITEJINRO established a system for domestic production of Kirin Brewery’s Kirin Ichiban canned beer, creating Asia’s first production system that does not rely on imports and distribution. In July, it signed a business agreement with Kirin toward a technical partnership and began production at its Jeonju plant.
Initial production volume was approximately 1.5 million liters, equivalent to approximately 3 million 500ml cans. Products manufactured in South Korea have been shipping since the first week of October. The aim is to shorten the conventional route, which involves customs clearance and transportation via Japan, and improve supply freshness.
The two companies’ cooperation dates back to the start of imports in 2004, followed by a period of full-scale supply under an exclusive import and sales agreement from 2011 onward. This time, the scope of the collaboration was expanded to include manufacturing, with the provision of technical expertise in brewing methods and production standards.
Market reactions included a series of comments on Korean social media questioning the shift to domestic production and pointing to confusion over labeling imported products. Attention is focused on future distribution and labeling methods.