[National Brand] Holiday Gift Problem Solver... 'Spam' Sold 2.1 Billion Units Over 37 Years

CJ CheilJedang Forms Technical Partnership with Hormel in the U.S.
Started Official Domestic Production in 1987
Unrivaled Sales Leader in Holiday Gift Sets
Generates Over Half of Annual Sales Around Lunar New Year and Chuseok

'Spam,' a representative processed meat product of CJ CheilJedang, surges in popularity during holidays such as Chuseok and Seollal. It has established itself as a practical premium gift set, generating more than half of its annual sales around these holidays. It has maintained the number one sales position in the holiday gift set category for several years.

Spam Classic [Photo by CJ CheilJedang]

According to CJ CheilJedang on the 4th, Spam was launched in 1937 by Hormel, an American processed meat company. It spread worldwide after being adopted as combat rations for the U.S. military during World War II. It became known in Korea during the Korean War in 1950 through the U.S. military. At that time, it was a rare food enjoyed only by some wealthy people or those connected to U.S. military bases.

This product began to popularize domestically when CJ CheilJedang formed a technical partnership with Hormel in 1986 and started domestic production in 1987. Previously, until the mid-1980s, the domestic canned product market was dominated by four products?CheilJedang’s luncheon meat and cheese ham, and Lotte Ham and Lotte Milk’s Rospam and jangjorim ham?accounting for more than 75% of the total market. Although canned products were more expensive than regular products, demand steadily increased due to their portability, ease of use, and long shelf life. However, the upward trend gradually slowed after the mid-1980s.

On the other hand, luncheon meat square ham alone maintained a high growth rate, occupying more than 40% of the canned product market. At that time, CheilJedang focused on this point and decided to introduce the global brand Spam to gain an advantage in the square canned ham market and increase processed meat sales.

Spam sold 500 tons in its first official year of domestic launch, quickly surpassing luncheon meat and rospam to become the number one in sales. In 2002, it established the image of a side dish for rice with the advertising copy "A slice of Spam on warm rice."

Efforts were also made in the production process. CJ CheilJedang’s Jincheon plant, which produces Spam, is designed and operated to block potential hazards at each stage through thorough verification from raw material selection to final product shipment. Spam produced here has been designated HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certified.

Spam Chicken Breast [Photo by CJ CheilJedang]

In response to the tastes of discerning domestic consumers and rapidly changing consumption trends, the product lineup is also expanding. Notably, in 2020, Spam 25% Light was launched with sodium content reduced to 510 mg per 100g to meet the consumer trend favoring low-sodium foods. Its sodium content is more than 25% lower on average than the top three canned ham products in market share. Additionally, considering health-conscious trends such as high protein and low calories, 'Spam Chicken Breast' was introduced in October last year. It is the first chicken breast product among Spam brand canned hams sold in 48 countries worldwide, selling 1.3 million units within six months of launch.

Furthermore, in May, 'Spam Single Chicken Breast' was released in sliced form, and in July, 'Round Spam,' a round and elongated ham, was launched to enhance convenience. Among these, Round Spam achieved sales of about 500,000 units in just over two months.

Spam’s market share has exceeded 50% since 2017, maintaining a dominant number one position. As of the first half of this year, marking its 37th year since domestic launch, cumulative sales have surpassed 2.07 billion units.