Burgeoning market for ‘hangover killer’
The Gongju, South Chungcheong, native began experimenting with extracts of a variety of the Oriental raisin heotgae after hearing rumors of a miracle cure for the dreaded morning after.
He began cultivating the berry - which contains traces of dihydromyricetin (DHM) that can block the effect of alcohol on the brain - in 1995. Last year, his company, Gold Herb, recorded sales in excess of 1 billion won ($843,500). It now has over 3,500 regular customers.
“They are mostly company workers, but anyone with a weak liver tends to place orders with us,” he said.
Oriental raisin drinks are growing in popularity in Korea after another company, Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical, introduced the first hit product in 2010.
The market exploded quickly in Korea’s green-tea-friendly and heavy-drinking culture as Kwang Dong promoted the product as “a tea for men.” It used only male models in its commercials and, last year, added the Chinese character for “man” to its packaging.
Experts say the company succeeded by riding the coattails of a social trend that is seeing men pay more attention to their diets, dress and health.
“The trend came just at the right time [for Kwang Dong], as men have begun splashing out on products that are good for their health,” said Oh Se-jo, a professor at Seoul’s Yonsei University.
Winter is considered the off-season for the local beverage market, but Oriental raisin drinks bucked the trend as companies went on traditional drinking binges at year-end parties.
Lotte Mart said it saw a 20 percent increase in sales in December from July, while its total sales of beverages dropped 23 percent over the same period.
Wholesale prices of the raisin stood at 25,000 won per 600 grams in 2009 but almost tripled to 70,000 won at the end of last year. Imports also shot up to $64.2 million last year from $38.6 million. The imported berries wholesale at between 14,000 won and 20,000 won per 600 grams.
Despite the price discrepancy, drinks made from both domestic and foreign berries both retail in the same range of 1,200 won to 1,800 won a bottle.
By Kim Ho-joung, Wi Moon-hee[summerlee@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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