CJ CheilJedang Doubles Production Infrastructure for Bibigo Grilled Fish

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] CJ CheilJedang is expanding its production infrastructure for ‘Bibigo Grilled Fish’ to grow the home meal replacement (HMR) market for fish products.

CJ CheilJedang announced on the 11th that it will increase the production line for ‘Bibigo Grilled Fish,’ boosting its manufacturing capacity by up to more than double compared to before. The company plans to proactively respond to the rapidly growing demand for seafood HMR and secure production capabilities for a wider variety of fish species to continuously lead the market.

Currently, ‘Bibigo Grilled Fish’ offers five types: mackerel, flatfish, Spanish mackerel, Atka mackerel, and Pacific saury. As of the end of last month, cumulative sales surpassed 6 million units within 1 year and 6 months since launch. The cumulative sales revenue reached 25 billion KRW, growing by an average of 20% monthly last year due to increasing consumer demand. Notably, it is considered exceptional that seafood HMR products have grown into a brand with annual sales of 10 billion KRW in a market previously dominated by meat-based HMR products.

Using the expanded production line, CJ CheilJedang plans to introduce various grilled fish products aligned with the accelerating ‘home meal’ trend. The company will promote a ‘seafood protein diet’ using ‘Bibigo Grilled Fish’ and run new campaigns this year tailored to consumer demand, following last year’s well-received ‘Yojeum Saengseon Yojeum Sikku (Meal Decoration)’ campaign.

In the mid to long term, CJ CheilJedang will also target overseas markets. By exporting ‘Korean-style grilled fish’ to major global countries, the company aims to contribute to widely promoting the excellence of K-seafood processed products abroad.

CJ CheilJedang cites differentiated taste quality and cooking convenience as key factors behind the popularity of ‘Bibigo Grilled Fish.’ The product uses optimized ingredients such as apple extract for each fish type to eliminate fishy odors, and it is oven-grilled at high temperatures for a short time to achieve a tender texture and golden appearance. The accelerating ‘home meal’ trend, which pursues both health and convenience, has also supported the rising popularity of seafood protein foods.

A CJ CheilJedang official stated, “As a leading domestic HMR company, we are committed to proactive investment and continuous research and development to prepare for the future,” adding, “We will continue our efforts so that consumers can easily enjoy a variety of grilled fish dishes at home.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.