Nongshim announced on the 6th that it will begin exporting the popular 'Melon Kick' to North America (the United States and Canada). The initial export volume will total 100,000 boxes (about $1 million), including 40,000 boxes.
Melon Kick is a new product introduced by Nongshim nearly 50 years after the launch of Banana Kick in 1978. It features a unique sweet taste achieved by combining domestic musk melon and milk.
According to Nongshim, Melon Kick is currently confirmed to be introduced primarily in the Asian market within North America. It is also working on being listed in major supermarkets such as Walmart and on the e-commerce platform Amazon.
The products exported to North America feature packaging with English labels to enhance accessibility. In particular, they will be offered in two weights of 45g and 180g, considering local distribution characteristics.
A Nongshim official noted, "The high interest of global consumers in Banana Kick is spreading to Melon Kick, leading to export inquiries from various countries. We are currently working on exporting to Japan, China, Vietnam, Chile, and other countries."
Meanwhile, the popularity of Nongshim's Kick series continues in the second half of this year. Melon Kick claimed the top spot in snack items at major convenience stores and supermarkets just nine days after its launch in April, and in three months since its release, cumulative sales surpassed 7.2 million bags. This is 20% higher than the sales volume (6 million bags) of the past hit product, Meoktaekgang, in its first three months.
In particular, Banana Kick is now considered a must-have souvenir for foreign tourists. Over the past three months, domestic sales have increased by about 30% compared to the same period last year, and exports have also doubled.