Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Pulmuone tops US kimchi market
Pulmuone's kimchi products / Courtesy of Pulmuone
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Pulmuone occupied the largest share in the U.S. kimchi market in August, the company said Monday.
The food company said its ready-made kimchi market share in the U.S. soared from 0.7 percent in August last year to 40.4 percent this year, citing Nielsen research data.
It was followed by two local companies from the U.S., which had an 11.6 percent and 9.4 percent share, respectively.
Pulmuone said the company was able to become the most-favored kimchi brand in the U.S. due to its strong brand identity.
“The fact that our kimchi is made from Korean cabbage contributed to the brisk sales performance,” a company official said.
It also attributed its success to expanding partnerships with local distribution channels.
The company entered 100 Walmart stores last year, and has gradually expanded to 10,000 grocery stores, including 3,900 Walmart stores in total and 1,100 Publix outlets.
Pulmuone tapped into the U.S. market under the brand Nasoya, the top U.S. tofu manufacturer which is owned by Pulmuone Foods USA.
The kimchi is currently available in four forms ― spicy, mild, radish mild and white mild.
“Pulmuone will continue to develop kimchi that matches the taste of American consumers with the goal of expanding the kimchi market in the U.S.,” the official said.
The company has also built a factory in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, in May to export kimchi.