Korea Ginseng Corp. Expands into Malaysia’s Functional Food Market

July 2024

Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC), a subsidiary of South Korean tobacco giant KT&G Corp., focusing on health functional food products, has announced the launch of its red ginseng brand Jung Kwan Jang products in Malaysia. These products will be available through Malaysia’s major health and beauty retailers, Guardian and Watsons.

KGC will offer its flagship products, including HongSamJeong Everytime (a red ginseng extract), Hong Sam Won (a red ginseng drink), and Good BASE Pomegranate with Korean Red Ginseng Stick, across over 600 Guardian and 700 Watsons stores nationwide. The products are certified with Halal, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). KGC is also expanding its presence in the ASEAN region, recently intensifying marketing efforts in Vietnam and Singapore.

The Malaysian health functional food market has seen substantial growth, increasing by 60% from KRW 1.5 trillion (USD 1.08 billion) in 2018 to KRW 2.4 trillion (USD 1.72 billion) by 2023. This growth is driven by rising demand for functional foods among Malaysians, reflecting a shift towards healthier lifestyles. Food manufacturers are responding by introducing new products enriched with functional ingredients such as probiotics, fiber, calcium, and vitamin E.

(Sources: KED Global; Asia One)

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