The newest addition to our portfolio. Our most active growth category in the US market.
Why Asian beverages, why now
Soju has more than doubled in the U.S. over the past five years, reaching approximately $935 million in 2024. Growth is driven by Gen Z and millennial demand, the global reach of K-culture, and accessible pricing, validated by major mainstream players now entering the space.
Wine-based RTDs built on authentic Asian flavor profiles are expanding rapidly across retail and on-premise, capturing Gen Z and millennial consumers who want premium, convenient, and culturally distinct. It is the category RTM has moved into ahead of the curve, and it is where our portfolio is most active today.
When RTM identified the Asian beverage opportunity, we brought to the category what most new entrants lacked: three decades of import infrastructure, wholesale relationships, and operational experience. Building that from scratch takes years. We already had it.
U.S. soju market value in 2024, more than doubled in 5 years
Primary growth demographic driving soju, sake, and Asian RTD demand
Years of import infrastructure behind our Asian beverage portfolio
Our Asian beverage portfolio
RTM represents brands across the full spectrum of Asian beverages, focused on quality producers and authentic stories that resonate with today's consumer.
Soju
The world's best-selling spirit by volume. Soju's clean, approachable profile and versatility make it a natural fit for the American on-premise market. We bring authentic Korean-produced soju brands designed for the U.S. palate.
Wine-Based RTD
Ready-to-drink beverages built on Asian flavor profiles are expanding rapidly across retail and on-premise. Our wine-based RTD portfolio captures the Gen Z and millennial consumer who wants premium, convenient, and culturally distinct.
Craft & Specialty Beer
Hokkaido Beer represents RTM's active position in Japanese craft and specialty beer — a segment gaining traction with an increasingly adventurous American beer drinker.
From regional to national
RTM reviewed distributor sales and profit data and identified a wine-based soju brand performing exceptionally well in a single regional market: strong numbers, minimal market penetration, and significant room to grow.
After direct meetings with the brand owner, RTM was awarded representation rights in a small number of markets. Within twelve months, RTM tripled its previous sales and expanded its representation to most states nationally.
Projected nationwide in 2026
In a single regional market (2024)
Total Wine & More, HEB, Circle K, Albertsons
September 2025
How we bring your brand to the U.S.
Producer Sourcing
We travel to origin regions, visit facilities, and vet producers on quality, authenticity, and capacity to meet U.S. import standards. This includes regular visits to Asia, with our on-the-ground presence expanding as our portfolio grows.
Market Positioning
We define the right consumer, the right channel, and the right price architecture for each brand before a single bottle enters the country. We identify trends from distributor sales and profit reports before the market publicly confirms them.
Wholesaler Activation
Our wholesale partner network means your brand has advocacy at the distributor level nationwide, critical for market penetration and sustainable velocity.
Common questions about Asian beverages
RTM's active portfolio is focused on soju — specifically wine-based soju, which currently comprises the majority of our SKU count — wine-based RTDs, and craft and specialty beer. These are the categories where we have active brands, national distribution, and chain-level retail authorizations. We are continuously evaluating adjacent categories as the market evolves.
Wine-based soju is a Korean-origin spirit produced from a wine base rather than a distilled-grain base. In the US regulatory framework, this classification means it can be sold through all licensed channels, including grocery, convenience, and general off-premise — rather than being restricted to spirits-licensed accounts only. This gives wine-based soju a significant distribution advantage over spirit-based alternatives and is one of the primary reasons RTM has prioritized this category.
RTM uses a data-driven approach: we review distributor depletion reports and margin data to identify underpenetrated categories with strong velocity, then validate with sales team interviews across key markets. We look for brands with low cost-to-serve, strong shelf presence, minimal domestic competition, and an authentic story that resonates with the US consumer. This methodology has consistently led us to categories before they peak — it is how we identified the Asian beverage opportunity, and it is how we will find the next one.
Yes. In many cases, brands that have achieved regional success in the US are seeking a partner to take them national. RTM's network of 25+ active wholesale partners and nationwide reach means we can expand a brand's footprint without requiring it to start from scratch. We have done this successfully — taking regionally proven brands to national distribution within twelve months of taking on representation.
RTM works directly with producers. We make annual trips to Asia to visit production facilities, vet product quality, and build direct relationships with brand owners and their export teams. These direct relationships are central to how we operate; they allow us to move quickly when a brand is ready to scale, and to manage quality and supply chain issues without layers of intermediaries.
The first step is a conversation — typically initiated through our contact form or an existing relationship. RTM will evaluate the brand against our current portfolio, category fit, and market opportunity. If there is a fit, we move to a formal market positioning process: defining the right consumer, channel, and price architecture before any compliance or import work begins. Full import timelines for a new brand range from 3 to 9 months, depending on category and compliance complexity.
Ready to bring your Asian brand to America?
Whether you're a producer seeking U.S. market entry or a wholesaler looking to strengthen your Asian beverage portfolio, we have the infrastructure, relationships, and expertise to make it happen.