"Orion Pokachip, Made from New Potatoes, Starts Production of the Tastiest Potato Chips of the Year"

Using freshly harvested domestic new potatoes, capturing the natural taste and nutrition of potatoes
Established Korea's first 'Potato Research Institute' in 1988, investing in potato supply management

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Orion announced on the 15th that it has started producing its representative domestic fresh potato chips, ‘Poca Chip’, ‘Kwasak Chip’, and ‘Swing Chip’, using new potatoes in season in June.

Poca Chip, Kwasak Chip, and Swing Chip use domestically grown potatoes harvested from June to November in famous potato-producing regions such as Boseong and Haenam in Jeollanam-do, Dangjin in Chungcheongnam-do, and Yanggu in Gangwon-do. The harvested new potatoes are transported to the Cheongju factory, the production base for fresh potato chips, and potato storage facilities for production.

Orion promotes mutual growth by guaranteeing stable income to potato farmers through contract farming with excellent potato farms nationwide every year, while providing consumers with high-quality potato snacks. This year, Orion plans to use about 13,000 tons of domestic potatoes from contracts with approximately 390 potato farms for the production of Poca Chip, Kwasak Chip, and Swing Chip.

Orion established Korea’s first ‘Potato Research Institute’ in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, in 1988 and actively invests in sourcing the highest quality potatoes under the principle that ‘good products come from good raw materials.’ It develops potato seeds optimized for potato snacks and storage technology to maintain potato freshness, while also disseminating farming techniques to contract farmers. Additionally, Orion established a global research institute and strengthened its R&D headquarters to innovate products by developing new textures and shapes that did not exist before.

Orion’s fresh potato chips are popular overseas in countries such as China and Vietnam, competing with leading global products. Poca Chip and Swing Chip have established themselves as representative K-foods of Korea, with combined sales exceeding 230 billion KRW last year in Korea, China, and Vietnam. Meanwhile, ‘Kwasak Chip’, first launched in April, surpassed 2 million cumulative sales within a month of release, thanks to its ultra-thin 0.8mm thickness that creates an extreme texture and addictive taste.

An Orion official said, “Since production started with domestic new potatoes from June, consumers will be able to enjoy the best-tasting potato snacks.”