Just Tear and Add, Cooking Done~ Broth Market Shakes Amid Home Meal Boom

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] As the trend of eating at home continues due to the impact of COVID-19, food companies are fiercely competing in the seasoning market, where basic broths for various dishes can be easily made. Products such as broth packs, pouches, coin-shaped solid broths, and concentrates have appeared.

According to the food industry on the 15th, the domestic seasoning market exceeded 200 billion KRW last year. The seasoning market, which was worth 160.1 billion KRW in 2019, is estimated to have grown about 34% last year, fueled by the home meal trend after COVID-19.

CJ CheilJedang’s ‘Sandeul-ae Cheoeumbuteo Yuksu’ online sales in the first half of this year increased by 126% compared to the same period last year. Sandeul-ae broth is a product that allows consumers to easily complete delicious basic broth at home by simmering various natural ingredients as if making it themselves. The main target is housewives in their 30s and 40s. ‘Sandeul-ae Geudaero Yuksu’ is a product that can be used immediately by opening the pouch without needing water.

Daesang Cheongjeongwon offers products such as ‘Natural Seasoning Matseonsaeng Anchovy Broth Tea Bag,’ ‘Seafood Broth Tea Bag,’ ‘Dried Pollack Broth Tea Bag,’ ‘Beef Bone Broth Concentrate,’ ‘Whole Anchovy Raw Pack,’ and ‘Seafood Raw Pack,’ which allow easy preparation of base broth using tea bags or concentrates. Their sales in the first half of the year have already surpassed those of 2019.

Among liquid-type products, Sempio’s ‘Yeondu’ is popular. It is a seasoning made by fermenting soybeans, and cumulative sales have exceeded 35 million bottles (converted to 275ml products) until last year. Yeondu is also gaining attention overseas. According to Sempio Foods, Yeondu’s sales on Amazon in the U.S. last year increased nearly fourfold compared to the previous year. Daesang’s ‘Hansoo’ and CJ CheilJedang’s ‘Dashida Yorisoo’ are also liquid-type products.

There are over 100 types of coin broth products sold at department stores and home shopping channels. The sales speed of Naturel’s ‘Yuksu Ttukttak,’ a seasoning made with domestic natural ingredients, has been steep this year.

Pulmuone Foods has launched three types of ‘Yori Yuksu’ (cooking broth) (photo) that allow easy soup preparation by just pouring. Carefully selected ingredients are simmered and contained as is, so there is no need to add water or season separately. The three types include beef bone broth, seafood broth, and hot pot broth, saving cooking time by eliminating the need for ingredient preparation, separate cooking, or food waste disposal.

An industry insider said, "We expect the seasoning and base broth market, which captures taste, convenience, and health, to grow," adding, "Especially, we are focusing on expanding the natural seasoning market and developing new materials."

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