In a manufacturing contract announcement, South Korea-based food group CJ CheilJedang has secured a partnership to serve the Australian market. The partnership will enable CJ CheilJedang to supply Woolworths, Australia’s largest food retailer. CJ Foods Oceania, the local subsidiary, has reached an agreement to sell its dumpling brand Bibigo through nearly 1,000 stores.
To support this venture, CJ CheilJedang is investing A$10m ($6.9m) to expand its partner’s facility, which will have a production capacity of 3,500 tonnes of dumplings per year. As part of this investment, CJ Foods Oceania is installing a new production line at the factory. Unfortunately, the company has not disclosed the exact location of the site.
A spokesperson for CJ Foods Oceania stated, “We have established our own separate space within the existing factory.” The upcoming launch of Bibigo dumplings in Australia is planned for later this year. Currently, CJ Foods Oceania focuses on the marketing of soups, kimchi, and bulgogi under the Bibigo brand. However, the company has firmly invested in expanding its dumpling range, which will be priced at A$8.50 ($4.80).
The decision to invest in this project is a response to the growing demand for Korean cuisine and culture in Australia. Eugene Cha, Managing Director of CJ Foods Oceania, explained, “Over recent years, we have seen ‘K-culture’ on the rise in Australia, notably with growing interest in Korean BBQ, K-Pop, and K-Cinema. With the desire to experience Korean cuisine at an all-time high, our goal is to spread the joy and flavor of our food culture with Australians.”
