HiteJinro local production of Kirin Ichiban Shibori

HiteJinro has transitioned from a distributor to a manufacturer for Kirin Ichiban Shibori beer in South Korea. After securing a production license for its Jeonju plant, the company will manufacture the Japanese beer locally, marking the first time in Asia that a company with no capital ties to Kirin has been granted such a license.

To maintain quality, HiteJinro is importing specific yeast directly from Kirin’s Japanese facilities and adhering to strict standards regarding ingredients, brewing temperature, and ratios. Kirin technicians participated in the setup of the production line, overseeing everything from raw material selection to quality control standards. This follows a technical cooperation agreement signed in July. The process has undergone rigorous testing, including sensory evaluations in Japan, to ensure consistency.

Local production is intended to improve supply stability and freshness. While imported products typically take approximately 45 days to reach the market, domestic production is expected to reduce lead times to one or two weeks. HiteJinro aims to produce 75% of its total Kirin Ichiban Shibori sales volume locally by next year, with an initial production target of approximately 1.5 million liters (equivalent to 3 million 500ml cans). The company plans to redirect savings from reduced logistics costs toward marketing and promotions.