Retailers riding high on growing 'vegan craze'

Plant-based lunchbox-style prepared meals, burgers and gimbap for vegetarians sold at 7-Eleven and CU / Korea Times file

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Vegan diet and cosmetic brands are gaining popularity in Korea, with an increasing number of consumers looking to healthy and ethical consumption in 2020, company officials said Thursday.

The term “veganism” not only refers to a diet but also the way people live, which includes consuming “cruelty-free” products, they said.

According to the Korea Vegetarian Union, the number of vegetarians in Korea jumped from 150,000 in 2008 to 1.5 million in 2019. The number of vegans is estimated at half a million.

The retail industry has been launching a series of vegan products to appeal to people who are making the shift to a plant-based lifestyle.

Lotte Mart launched an egg-free vegan mayonnaise Thursday to satisfy vegans and vegetarians who want more options.

“The vegan food market is growing,” a Lotte Mart official said. “We plan to expand our product range to satisfy consumers who want to enjoy healthy vegan alternatives that also benefit the environment.”

Nongshim, a leading Korean instant noodle maker, released stir-fried noodles that do not contain meat in October.

Another food company Ottogi launched vegetarian instant noodles in November, gaining positive responses from health-conscious consumers.

Convenience stores have also launched lunch boxes and burgers for vegetarians. CU, a convenience store run by BGF Retail, has been selling plant-based meat products since November.

“In addition to vegetarians, there has been an increasing demand for vegan foods from those who are concerned about health and the environment,” a CU official said.

Another convenience store, 7-Eleven, has been selling dumplings, burgers and gimbap that are entirely plant-based since November.

The vegan trend has been extended to beauty, with a growing number of brands turning vegan-friendly.

In December, K-beauty giant Amorepacific signed a strategic partnership with Milk Makeup, the U.S. cosmetic startup known for its cruelty-free and vegan products.

In the same month, Kolmar Korea shared its plans to expand vegan certification to more product lines in 2020.

“We have completed safety certification tests on seven products, including creams and toners,” a Kolmar Korea official said.

“We will earn vegan certification on more products, including sheet masks and cleansing products, to satisfy consumers who are concerned about environmental issues and ethical consumption.”