Construction of a New 8,200㎡ Factory with KRW 100 Billion Investment
Dumpling Production and Local Supply Starting in September
Accelerating the Global Expansion of K-food
CJ CheilJedang will invest KRW 100 billion to build a new dumpling factory in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The company aims to strengthen its production infrastructure and expand the scale of its business in Japan, while also accelerating the global expansion of K-food.
According to CJ CheilJedang on May 8, the new factory will be built on a site within 'Kazusa Academia Park' in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture. The site is approximately the size of six soccer fields (42,000 square meters), with the factory itself having a total floor area of about 8,200 square meters. The factory is scheduled for completion in July, and from September, it will begin producing 'Bibigo Mandu' dumplings to supply throughout Japan.
CJ CheilJedang plans to strengthen its strategy for the Japanese frozen dumpling market by establishing this production base. The Japanese frozen dumpling market is estimated to be worth KRW 1.1 trillion annually. At the Chiba factory, CJ CheilJedang will launch not only its flagship product, 'Bibigo Wang Gyoja,' but also new products designed for greater cooking convenience for consumers.
By enhancing its dumpling production capabilities, the company expects both qualitative and quantitative growth in its Japanese food business. Currently, CJ CheilJedang sells Bibigo Mandu, frozen gimbap, and K-sauces through major distribution channels such as AEON, Costco, Amazon, and Rakuten. Notably, 'Bibigo Gimbap,' which was first introduced in Japan among all countries worldwide in 2023, has become extremely popular, with about 2.5 million units sold last year, mainly through AEON and Costco.
The company intends to leverage the new 'K-trend' spreading in Japan as a driving force to seize future growth opportunities. Lee Jay-Hyun, Chairman of CJ Group, also highlighted the importance of the Japanese market by choosing Japan for his first global field management trip this year. At the time, Chairman Lee stated, "The renewed Korean Wave in Japan is a decisive opportunity for the global spread of K-culture. Well-prepared businesses in Japan, such as Bibigo, must not miss this chance," adding, "We must accelerate localization and the establishment of global infrastructure to enhance competitiveness and become a 'global leading company.'"
In addition to Japan, CJ CheilJedang is also expanding production bases in the United States and Europe, which have high growth potential, to strengthen its overseas food business. In November last year, the company secured a site for a 'European K-food new factory' near Dunavarsany, Budapest, Hungary, and began the design process. This factory will produce Bibigo Mandu for sale in Europe starting in the second half of 2026.
In the United States, the company has begun construction of a 'North America Asian Food New Factory' in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, aiming for completion in 2027. This facility, equipped with production lines for steamed dumplings and egg rolls as well as a logistics center, will be the largest Asian food manufacturing facility in North America and serve as CJ CheilJedang's central production hub in the region.
CJ CheilJedang's overseas food business sales grew 77% over five years, from KRW 3.154 trillion in 2019 to KRW 5.5814 trillion last year. During the same period, the proportion of overseas sales in total food sales increased from 39% to 49%, driving the growth of the food business.
A CJ CheilJedang representative stated, "We will seize the opportunity presented by the rekindled 'K-trend' through proactive establishment of overseas local infrastructure," adding, "We are determined to become a truly 'global leading company.'"
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