CJ CheilJedang is expanding its overseas food production capacity to accelerate the 'K-Food global territory expansion'. The company announced plans to enlarge its operations in Japan and Europe through the construction of new factories, while strengthening its market position in the key market of the United States.

CJ CheilJedang is establishing new dumpling factories in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and Hungary, Europe. The strategy involves strengthening production infrastructure through proactive investment to expand operations in Japan and Europe.

During visits to Japan and Europe in April and August, CJ Group Chairman Lee Jae-hyun emphasized, "The spread of K-culture is not just a trend but a decisive opportunity for global advancement," and stressed that "the group must leap forward as a global leading company through localization and the establishment of global infrastructure."

The newly built factory in Japan began producing 'Bibigo Dumplings' last month using state-of-the-art production lines, supplying them throughout Japan. Approximately KRW 100 billion was invested to construct the facility on a site (42,000㎡) the size of six soccer fields within the 'Kazusa Academia Park' in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, with a total floor area of about 8,200㎡.

The 'European K-Food New Factory' is being designed on a confirmed site near Budapest, Hungary, in Dunavarsány. This factory will be built on a site (115,000㎡) the size of 16 soccer fields with an investment of approximately KRW 100 billion, featuring state-of-the-art automated production lines. It is scheduled to start producing 'Bibigo Dumplings' for the European market from the second half of 2026, with plans to add a Bibigo chicken production line in the future.

Through the 'Hungary Factory', CJ CheilJedang aims to actively respond to the European dumpling market, which is growing by more than 30% annually, and focus on expanding its European operations by using Hungary as a base to enter neighboring Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Balkan Peninsula regions.

In the United States, its subsidiary Schwan's has commenced construction of a 'North American Asian Food New Factory' in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a target completion date of 2027. This facility will be built on a site (575,000㎡) the size of 80 soccer fields. The initial investment amounts to approximately KRW 700 billion. Upon completion, it will be the largest Asian food manufacturing facility in North America, equipped with dumpling and egg roll production lines, wastewater treatment facilities, and a logistics center, serving as a central production base in the Midwest.

CJ CheilJedang plans to further solidify Bibigo's No. 1 position (41% market share) in the U.S. B2C dumpling market by leveraging the 'South Dakota Factory'. Additionally, it aims to increase sales in the local roll market, which is valued at approximately KRW 1 trillion, to further establish its status as the 'No. 1 Asian Food Company in the U.S.'

CJ CheilJedang's proactive expansion of production capacity is aimed at bolstering its presence in the rapidly growing global food business. The company's overseas food business revenue has sharply increased from KRW 3.154 trillion in 2019 to KRW 5.5814 trillion last year.

A CJ CheilJedang representative stated, "By investing in proactive production capacity for the future, we will lead the global spread of K-Food and transform into a bona fide 'global leading company'."

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