South Korea's imports of beverages from Vietnam jumped three-fold in 2016 on-year, data showed Friday, apparently helped by the rising popularity of tropical fruits in the country.

According to the data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, South Korea imported US$10.3 million worth of beverage products from Vietnam in 2016, rising sharply from $3.2 million posted a year earlier.

Last year's figure marks a whopping 7.5-fold growth from $1.3 million posted in 2012, the data also showed.

South Korea's combined imports of beverages last year came to $250 million, down 0.5 percent on-year.

The ministry said the increase in the import of Vietnamese drinks is attributable to the rising popularity of tropical fruits in the country.

U.S. products accounted for 30.2 percent of South Korea's imports of beverages last year, followed by Germany and China with 6.7 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively, the data also showed. (Yonhap)

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