"Busy Online Food Corner Amid Cold Wave" G9, Fresh and Processed Foods Popular

Popularity of Convenient Foods like Side Dish Sets and Meal Kits
Sales Surge Up to 8 Times Year-on-Year by Item

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] As the severe cold wave sets in, demand for home-cooked meals is steadily increasing on online malls. Fresh foods and various processed and preserved foods that can be easily enjoyed indoors instead of going out in the cold winter weather are gaining popularity.

G9 announced on the 3rd that sales of food items such as fresh foods and processed foods last month significantly increased compared to the same period last year. The item showing the steepest sales growth was "meal kits," with sales soaring more than 8 times (733%) compared to last year. This is also analyzed to reflect demand for preparing home parties ahead of the year-end.

Rice sales also increased. Overall rice sales rose by 15%, with glutinous rice up 115%, black rice up 43%, and brown rice growing by 61%. Sales of instant rice, which can be conveniently enjoyed, more than doubled (128%).

Sales of fully cooked side dishes also increased by 171%. Popular items included gejang (marinated crab) (60%), shrimp and abalone jang (marinated shrimp and abalone) (96%), and pickled side dishes (95%). Side dish sets, which allow preparing various banchan at once, increased nearly threefold (196%). Kimchi sales also rose, including kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) (156%), chonggak kimchi (young radish kimchi) (77%), dongchimi (water kimchi) (45%), and baek kimchi (white kimchi) (23%).

Sales of processed foods also increased. Canned goods rose by 43%, various noodles by 516%, and processed meat products such as seasoned chicken (426%), seasoned pork (70%), and seasoned duck (100%) were popular. Processed seafood products like fish cakes and crab sticks (21%) and stir-fried seafood (95%) also attracted attention. Snack processed foods such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) (158%), jokbal (pig’s trotters) (220%), nuggets (32%), and dumplings (16%) received positive responses.

A G9 official said, "As the cold season fully begins, demand for purchasing various foods through online malls is surging. Meal kits, which allow easy preparation of complex dishes such as steak, seafood stew, and hot pot ahead of the year-end, are especially popular, along with rice and side dishes."

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