From Miwon to Sweevero: Inside Daesang's 70-Year Evolution into a Global Food and Biotech Powerhouse

Marking its 70th anniversary, South Korean food and bio giant Daesang Corporation is accelerating its transition into a global food and ingredients powerhouse. Since its inception in 1956, when it developed Miwon—South Korea's first fermented seasoning—the company has played a foundational role in shaping the nation's food industry. Today, Daesang is leveraging its decades of fermentation expertise to drive a dual-engine growth strategy, balancing a rapidly expanding global food portfolio with a high-tech ingredients and biotechnology business.

With production facilities and business hubs spanning the United States, Europe, and Asia, Daesang's footprint has grown highly international. This global trajectory is built on a long history of cross-border expansion, dating back to 1973 when Daesang became the first South Korean company to export a production plant to Indonesia.

The K-Food Portfolio: Jongga and Ofood Lead Global Expansion

Daesang's global food strategy is anchored by four priority product categories:

• Kimchi
• Specialty sauces
• Gim (Korean seaweed)
• Convenience foods

At the forefront of this portfolio is Jongga, Daesang's flagship kimchi brand. Currently available in around 90 countries, Jongga has established itself as a dominant force in the global market. During the first three quarters of 2026, the brand accounted for approximately 56% of South Korea's total kimchi exports by value. This significant market share underscores the brand's competitive edge and its role in introducing traditional Korean fermented foods to global consumers.

Complementing Jongga is Ofood, Daesang's global brand dedicated to sauces and convenience foods. Ofood specializes in bringing traditional Korean flavors to international kitchens through products like gochujang and other traditional fermented pastes, adapting these classic ingredients to fit diverse global food cultures.

Strategic Infrastructure and Acquisitions in the United States

The United States represents a critical growth market for Daesang's long-term international strategy. To support its expansion, the company has made substantial investments in local production and distribution infrastructure:

• In 2022, Daesang established a dedicated kimchi production facility near Los Angeles. This facility features an annual production capacity of 2,000 metric tons and manufactures localized variations of kimchi, including original, vegan, white, and cucumber kimchi, to cater directly to American consumer preferences.
• In 2023, Daesang acquired Lucky Foods, a food company based in the United States. This acquisition has allowed Daesang to further integrate and strengthen its local production and distribution networks.

By combining localized manufacturing with strategic acquisitions, Daesang is actively expanding its presence across major retail channels in the United States. The company is also driving broader consumer adoption of kimchi through targeted collaborations with local restaurants and other culinary initiatives.

Biotechnology and the Ingredients Business

Beyond consumer-facing food brands, Daesang's ingredients business serves as a vital engine of corporate growth. Built upon the company's proprietary fermentation technology, this division supplies essential ingredients to the global food and feed industries, including MSG and various amino acids.

In response to the rising global demand for low-sugar and low-calorie food options, Daesang is rapidly scaling its alternative sweetener business. Utilizing its proprietary high-efficiency production technology and a specialized production facility in South Korea, the company launched Sweevero, its global alternative sweetener brand focused on allulose.

This focus on functional ingredients has yielded strong commercial results, particularly in North America. In 2025, Daesang recorded a 450% year-on-year increase in North American allulose sales, demonstrating the high market demand for its sweetener solutions.

Executive Vision for the Future

As Daesang looks toward its next chapter, its leadership remains focused on combining technological innovation with localized market strategies. Jung-bae Lim, CEO of Daesang Corporation, highlighted the company's journey and future direction:

With manufacturing subsidiaries now operating in the United States, Poland, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, Daesang is well-positioned to sustain its momentum as a diversified global enterprise, bridging the gap between traditional culinary heritage and modern biotechnology.