Orion’s Potato Snack Annual Sales Near 1 Trillion Won... 874 Billion Won Last Year

Average Annual Growth of 9% Over the Past Three Years

Overseas Sales Account for 73%

Oh! Gamja and Swing Chip displayed at a store in China. Provided by Orion.

Orion is strengthening its efforts to penetrate the global potato snack market during the peak summer season. Unlike regular snacks made from wheat or corn, potato snacks have a higher proportion of whole potatoes as raw material and are minimally processed, which aligns with the rising demand for healthier snacks and is fueling their rapid growth in the global market.

As of July 30, according to Orion, the company currently offers six potato snack brands across Korea, China, and Vietnam, with more than 70 product variations based on flavor. Last year, Orion posted potato snack sales of 874 billion won, with overseas sales accounting for 73% of this total. Of Orion’s nine global mega-brands with annual sales exceeding 100 billion won, four—Pocachip, Oh! Potato, Swing Chip, and Yegam—are potato snacks. Over the past three years, Orion’s potato snack division has maintained an average annual growth rate of 9%, putting the company on the verge of reaching 1 trillion won in annual sales.

In China especially, Oh! Potato achieved single-brand sales of 260 billion won last year, while Swing Chip overtook Choco Pie sales in the first quarter of this year to become the second-ranked brand. Potato snacks such as Oh! Potato, Swing Chip, and Yegam accounted for 41% of Orion China’s total sales last year, driving the overall growth of the subsidiary.

During the peak summer snack season in Korea, Orion launched Pocachip and Swing Chip made from new-season potatoes in June, leading the trend for ‘in-season snacks.’ Once the planned expansion of the Cheongju factory production line is completed in the second half of the year, production capacity will increase by 50% compared to the current level.

In China, the company is broadening its market presence by introducing new products that cater to local consumer preferences. These include Oh! Potato (local name Ya! Tudou) Garlic Butter flavor, Swing Chip (Haoyouqu) Sword Bean Green flavor and Coriander Taco flavor, and Dip Yegam (Shuyuan Zhanjiang) Barbecue and Passion Fruit flavors, thereby strengthening its product portfolio. In the first quarter of this year, Orion’s potato snack sales in China increased by 21% compared to the same period last year. Upon completion of the currently planned Swing Chip production line expansion, supply volume is expected to increase by 25% from current capacity.

In Vietnam, Orion recently launched Pocachip (local name Ostar) Sour Cream flavor and Swing Chip (Swing) Taco flavor, targeting local consumers who enjoy sports. In Vietnam, Pocachip has maintained its position as the market leader in the potato snack segment since 2017, surpassing Lay’s, the world’s top potato snack brand along with Korea, in terms of market share.

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