Pulmuone looks to enter US plant-based convenience food market

Pulmuone, a leading South Korean producer of plant-based foods such as tofu and bean sprouts, is trying to expand the K-food territory in the global market with Korean-flavored vegetarian food.

Pulmuone announced on Sunday its participation in the "Natural Products Expo West 2023" held in Anaheim, California, from Mar. 7-11.

The event, celebrating its 42nd anniversary, is the world's largest expo of its kind, with 3,182 companies, including Nestlé, Danone, and Starbucks, participating as exhibitors and over 60,000 food industry officials in attendance. Pulmuone has participated in this trade show 17 times since 2003.

At the fair, Pulmuone introduced plant-based convenience food items such as plant-based steak, Toss'ables tofu and silken tofu. The company reported that the plant-based gochujang steak and sweet chili-flavored tofu were well-received by locals as new products that reflect the unique taste of K-food. These products will be sold in major local retail channels, including Sprouts Farmers Market and Albertsons.

"We plan to continuously launch innovative products such as meat alternatives that reflect the needs of global consumers," said Cho Gil-soo, CEO of Pulmuone Foods USA.

The company has set a sales target of 1.7 trillion won ($1.3 billion) in sustainable food, including vegetarian and animal welfare-focused foods, by 2025.

Write to Soo-Jung Ha at agatha77@hankyung.com