270 Packs Sold Every Minute... Orion's Fresh Potato Snacks Surpass 4 Trillion Won in Global Cumulative Sales

51 Billion Units Sold in 37 Years Since Pocachip's 1988 Launch
Over 200,000 Tons of Potatoes Used Annually, 230,000 Tons Expected This Year

Orion announced on September 1 that its flagship snack brand, Fresh Potato Snack, has surpassed a cumulative global sales total of 4 trillion won. Since the launch of Pocachip in 1988, 5.1 billion units have been sold over 37 years, which equates to 270 units sold every minute.

In South Korea, the two representative fresh potato snacks are Pocachip (launched in 1988) and Swing Chip (launched in 1994). Pocachip became the market leader in South Korea within six years of its launch and has maintained the top position for 31 consecutive years. Half of the cumulative sales have come from the South Korean market.

Orion has also achieved remarkable results overseas. Since 2006, the company has launched fresh potato snacks in Vietnam and China. In Vietnam, the local brand "Ostar," based on Pocachip, has held the number one market share since 2017. In China, the local Swing Chip brand "Haoyouqu" achieved record sales of 160 billion won last year and grew by 10% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.

Orion consumes more than 200,000 tons of potatoes annually, and this year the figure is expected to reach 230,000 tons. This accounts for more than 40% of last year's total potato production in South Korea, which was 544,000 tons. Orion secures its raw materials through contract farming in South Korea and Vietnam, and through a directly operated farm in Inner Mongolia, China. During periods when local cultivation is not possible, South Korea imports potatoes from the United States and Australia, while Vietnam imports from China. The total contracted farming area is 3,508 hectares, which is 12 times the size of Yeouido.

The company has also invested heavily in developing new varieties. After establishing a potato research center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, in 1988, Orion introduced new varieties such as Dubaek (2000), Jinseo (2023), and Jeonggam (2024). The Dubaek and Jinseo varieties have been exported to Vietnam, and last year Orion developed its own new variety, "OA2132," in China, for which it is currently applying for variety protection.

Localization strategies are also cited as a key factor in Orion's success. Pocachip maintains an average thickness of 1.3 mm, with fine adjustments made in 0.01 mm increments based on the potato solids content to achieve optimal texture. The company has also broadened its consumer base by introducing products tailored to local tastes, such as seaweed, kimchi, and gochujang flavors.

An Orion representative stated, "Our flagship fresh potato snack is loved in overseas markets as well, achieving results that rival global brands. Based on nearly 40 years of accumulated research and development expertise, we will continue to develop differentiated flavors and textures for each country, further strengthening our position as South Korea's leading snack brand."

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