"K-Gim Snack Global Expansion" CJ CheilJedang Launches Gim Snack in Europe and Japan

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] CJ CheilJedang has launched a global seaweed market offensive with ‘K-Gim Snack,’ aligning with health and sustainability trends.

On the 18th, CJ CheilJedang announced that it will expand its global food business by introducing seaweed snacks with differentiated appearance and texture for the first time in Europe and Japan. The products were developed through research reflecting the food culture and consumer needs of each country, focusing on a localization strategy.

First, Europe, where demand for well-being snacks is high, and Japan, where seaweed consumption is active, were selected as strategic countries. In Europe, the existing lunchbox seaweed product was evolved into a snack with a convenient size and texture. The 'bibigo seaweed snack' is a long stick-shaped product that can be bitten one piece at a time. It was introduced in flavors preferred by locals such as Sea Salt, Korean Barbecue (K-BBQ), and Hot Chili, with enhanced crispiness. The plastic tray was replaced with paper to reflect the environmentally conscious European consumer trend. It is planned to be stocked in major distribution channels such as Costco UK.

In Japan, the focus was on introducing seaweed snacks with new forms and textures different from the country’s thick sushi seaweed. The new product 'bibigo WASAC' enhanced the unique flavor of seaweed favored by Japanese consumers and was made into a sandwich form by inserting rice puffing balls between thin seaweed sheets. Considering local tastes, it was released in two flavors: sesame and wasabi, and is attracting consumers’ attention as a new Korean snack at Japan’s 7-Eleven stores. To commemorate the launch, outdoor advertisements featuring actor Park Seo-joon as a model and sampling events will be held in Shibuya.

A CJ CheilJedang official said, “We plan to focus on developing various products so that high-quality Korean seaweed can be established as a globally loved food,” adding, “We will take the lead in promoting the excellence of K-food in line with CJ’s management philosophy of globalizing Korean food culture.”

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