Lotte Wellfood 'Oing Series' Seventh Product
Initial Supply Limited to 2 Packs per Person
Attention on Recreating Pollock Snack Craze Following Nongshim Meoktaekang
Lotte Wellfood's 'Oing Nogari Chip (Cheongyang Mayo Flavor),' launched to counter the craze for Nongshim's 'Meoktaekgang,' is showing signs of success right from the start. Some distribution channels have begun limiting the purchase quantity per person in anticipation of high demand. As products based on pollock continue to emerge in the market, competition is heating up for the second half of the year.
In the food section of a department store in downtown Seoul, Lotte Wellfood's new product 'Oing Nogari Chip Cheongyang Mayo Flavor' is displayed, accompanied by a notice stating that the purchase quantity is limited to two per person.
According to industry sources on the 6th, some department stores in Seoul have displayed Lotte Wellfood's Oing Nogari Chips in their food sections and posted notices limiting purchases to two packs per person. The department stores explained this was "to provide more customers with the opportunity to purchase" and asked for understanding. A Lotte Wellfood representative stated, "Starting from the 4th, we plan to sequentially supply the product to convenience stores, large supermarkets, and neighborhood marts," adding, "The purchase limits appear to be measures taken by each distribution channel considering supply and demand, unrelated to the manufacturer." A department store official also mentioned, "We are showcasing a small quantity secured from the initial stock."
Nogari Chip is the seventh product in Lotte Wellfood's Oing series, first launched in 1999. It combines nogari flavor with Cheongyang mayo flavor. Ahead of the official launch this month, a small quantity was pre-sold through Lotte Wellfood's online mall (Sweet Mall) on the 28th of last month, and all prepared stock was sold out in less than an hour.
A Lotte Wellfood representative said, "We are receiving positive responses and continuous orders from major distribution channels," adding, "Although we cannot disclose specific production volumes due to intense competition to secure stock, we are operating the production line at full capacity to ensure uninterrupted supply."
Oing Nogari Chip attracted attention as a similar product to Nongshim's Meoktaekgang, which was launched in June and gained sensational popularity. While the main ingredients differ?Meoktaekgang uses meoktae (darkly dried pollock) and Nogari Chip uses nogari (young pollock)?both are 'pollock snacks,' considering that meoktae is darkly dried pollock and nogari is pollock fry. Both also feature seasoning with Cheongyang chili powder. Food distribution and manufacturing company U&AI Trade plans to enter the pollock snack competition by launching 'Meoktaeito Cheongyang Mayo Flavor,' a product mixing meoktae and potatoes, similar to these products.
Meanwhile, Nongshim's Meoktaekgang, which has secured a leading position in the related market, sold all 1 million packs of its initial stock in the first week after launch and has continued its popularity with cumulative sales reaching 4.2 million packs by the end of last month. Consumers still find it difficult to purchase the product in stores. A Nongshim representative stated, "Considering demand, we have doubled Meoktaekgang's production from 300,000 packs per week to respond accordingly."
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