CJ Cheiljedang serves as a “preacher of K-food” by supplying food products, such as Bibigo Mandu to small- and large-sized marts across the United States through logistics networks of Schwan’s Company, acquired by CJ.

CJ Cheiljedang’s “Bibigo Mandu” (Dumpling) has posted more than 1 trillion won in sales in Korea and abroad so far this year.

It is rare that sales of food items, which carry lower price tags, surpass 1 trillion won. The figure translates into the selling of 63,700 New Avante units, each fetching 15.7 million won.

CJ Cheiljedang said on Dec. 23 that sales of Bibigo Mandu in Korea and abroad had surpassed 1 trillion won so far this year, and the figure is predicted to rise to 1.03 trillion won by the end of 2020.

Overseas sales stood at 670 billion won, about two times more than sales in Korea. Bibigo Mandu saw sales in Korea amount to 360 billion so far this year, up 14 percent, or a surge of 44 billion won from 316 billion won last year.

Bibigo Mandu’s feat is owed to a rising demand related to stay-at-home orders around the world to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Overseas sales surged to 670 billion won, a 21 percent jump of 118 billion won.

CJ Cheiljedang’s efforts to meet overseas consumers’ needs have paid off since Bibigo Mandu made its debut in 2013.

The company focused on targeting major markets, such as the large-sized discount store Costco in the United States.

CJ Cheiljedang utilized recipes tailored to meet local consumers’ palates in China, Japan and European countries.

The company focused on Korean food tastes such as kimchi and galbi (beef ribs) and used meat certified with animal welfare certificates in Europe.

CJ Cheiljedang expanded distribution networks with a focus on the UK, France and Germany.

The company saw sales in the three countries triple over three years since 2018 - an annual average growth rate of 61 percent.

Vice President Lee Joo-eun with Bibigo Marketing Group said the company’s strategies to maintain Korea’s dumpling identity and employ localization have paid off.

Bibigo Mandu will contribute to the birth of next-generation K-food, Lee said.

French consumers show a strong interest in a session of tasting Bibigo Mandu at a large-sized mart in France.

CJ Cheiljedang Releases ‘Aishian Multi-Care Gold’

CJ Cheiljedang has released “Ashian Multi-Care Gold,” a functional health food, approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), that takes care of the health of eyes and has antioxidant and normal immunity.

The product may be recommended for middle-aged and elderly adults considered to see a reduction in the density of macular pigment, caused by aging.

MFDS recommends a daily dose of 10 to 20mg of Lutein Zeazanthin to make up for a shortage of macular pigment.