The Ice Cream You Asked Friends to Bring Back Is Now a Hit: Over 30 Billion Won Sold in the U.S. Alone

$49.78 Million Exported from January to April, Up 14% Year-on-Year
U.S. Share Exceeds 40%; Southeast Asian and European Markets Expanding

As the K-food craze expands from ramen and snacks to ice cream, the Korean frozen dessert industry is continuing its record-breaking export streak. With rapidly growing demand for Korean ice cream in the United States and Southeast Asia, industry forecasts suggest that this year’s frozen dessert exports will surpass 150 million dollars (230.1 billion won) for the first time.

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According to export and import trade statistics from the Korea Customs Service as of June 6, exports of frozen desserts reached 49.776 million dollars (approximately 74.8 billion won) from January to April this year. This represents a 14.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Korean frozen dessert exports have maintained steady growth over the past several years. Export value was 18.945 million dollars (2.9 billion won) from January to April 2019, which increased to 29.404 million dollars (4.51 billion won) in 2021, and 39.389 million dollars (6.04 billion won) in 2023. Although the growth rate slowed somewhat in 2024, last year the industry returned to double-digit growth.

On an annual basis, the growth trend is also clear. Korean frozen dessert exports more than doubled in five years, from 54.182 million dollars (8.31 billion won) in 2019 to 118.735 million dollars (18.21 billion won) last year. Industry insiders believe that if demand during the peak summer season is added, it will be possible for annual exports to break through the 150 million dollar mark for the first time this year.

The center of export expansion is the U.S. market. From January to April this year, exports to the U.S. totaled 20.068 million dollars (3.07 billion won), accounting for 40.3% of total exports. This was followed by China (3.888 million dollars, 600 million won), Canada (3.717 million dollars, 570 million won), the Philippines (3.582 million dollars, 550 million won), and Vietnam (2.314 million dollars, 350 million won). An industry official stated, “As Korean ice cream has been listed in major distribution channels in the U.S. and Southeast Asia, points of contact with local consumers have increased significantly.”

One representative success story is Binggrae’s “Melona.” Melona has established itself as a leading brand, now accounting for about 70% of the Korean ice cream market share in the United States. The proportion of exports in Binggrae’s total frozen dessert sales is also rising rapidly. In 2020, exports accounted for 9.3% of Binggrae’s frozen dessert sales of 392.2 billion won, but this figure rose to 13.7% last year. In the first quarter of this year, exports amounted to 32.4 billion won out of 148.4 billion won in frozen dessert sales, representing 21.9%.

Melona’s overseas expansion began in 1995 in the Korean community market in Hawaii. Binggrae established a local subsidiary in San Francisco in 2016, and from 2017 built a local production system in the U.S. The company has expanded its product lineup by launching various flavors such as mango, strawberry, coconut, and taro to suit American consumer preferences. Melona is currently available at all Costco stores in the United States. This year, Binggrae’s U.S. sales increased by 60.3% compared to the same period last year. Binggrae is also accelerating its entry into the European market. “Plant-Based Melona,” targeting vegan consumers, has been launched in the Netherlands, Germany, and France, and last year the company also entered Carrefour, a major French retailer. Binggrae has also developed a plant-based version of Bungeo Samanco and is exporting it. A Binggrae official said, “We are seeking business opportunities by participating in international food exhibitions to expand into overseas markets. In December last year, we established an Australian subsidiary, extending our base from North America, China, and Vietnam to Oceania, and diversifying our business portfolio.”

Lotte Wellfood is also actively expanding its overseas operations. With long-standing brands such as Jaws Bar, Screw Bar, Watermelon Bar, Seolreim, and Chalttok Ice, the company is increasing exports to the U.S., China, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Lotte Wellfood’s frozen dessert export value grew from 13.7 billion won in 2021 to around 29.1 billion won this year. In the first quarter of this year, exports also increased by about 13% compared to the previous year.

The Indian market, in particular, is where Lotte Wellfood is focusing most of its efforts. The frozen dessert business of its Indian subsidiary, Lotte India, grew from 58.7 billion won in 2020 to 196.6 billion won last year, an increase of about 3.3 times. The company recently started operations at a new frozen dessert plant in Pune, Maharashtra, expanding its business to southern regions as well. By expanding investment in both dried fruit and frozen dessert businesses, the company is aiming to achieve 1 trillion won in sales in India by 2030.

The industry expects the growth potential for Korean ice cream to increase further as the popularity of K-content and K-food continues. The consumer base, once centered on Korean expatriates, has now expanded to the general local population, and Korean ice cream is being positioned as a new export driver.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.