Food technology has become a game-changing innovation that is reshaping the landscape of the food industry. Beginning with the April issue, we are refocusing our attention on innovation and advancement in the food sector. Replacing Processed Food, we are introducing a new section called Food Tech. Our goal is to delve deeper into food tech, highlighting updates from key industry players and providing valuable insights into cutting-edge products.

The food tech market, which combines food and cutting-edge technology to innovate new food products and services while improving efficiency in production and distribution, is growing rapidly. It encompasses various sectors such as alternative foods, convenience foods, food printing, smart factories, delivery apps, unmanned ordering machines, and delivery/serving/cooking robots. In 2020, Korea's domestic food tech market was valued at approximately KRW 61 trillion, accounting for 10.7% of the total food, restaurant, and distribution industry valued at KRW 570 trillion. Between 2017 and 2020, the market has shown an annual growth rate of 31.4%. By sector, online food retailing dominates with 73% (KRW 43 trillion), followed by care food with 20% (KRW 12 trillion), convenience food with 7% (KRW 4 trillion), and alternative food with only 0.03% (KRW 20.9 billion).

Online food transactions dominate the domestic food tech market, accounting for the highest share of 36%. Since 2017, food delivery service transactions have seen an average annual growth rate of 75.1%, skyrocketing from KRW 2.7326 trillion to KRW 25.6783 trillion in 2021. Mobile shopping has experienced an annual growth rate of 80.5% during the same period, jumping from KRW 2.3543 trillion to KRW 24.9828 trillion. The major players in the delivery market include "Baemin", "Yogiyo" and "Coupang Eats", with "Baemin" holding a dominant market share of 57.7%, followed by "Yogiyo" with 24.7% and "Coupang Eats" with 17.5%.
Companies that harness the power of IT technology-based systems to streamline operations and improve customer service in restaurants, such as "Catch Table," "Pass Order," and "Pay Here," are experiencing rapid growth. FoodLens, developed by Doing Lab, uses AI food recognition technology to provide nutritional information analysis services through food photos. Top Table integrates AI and food printing technology to create personalized food. At the same time, Beyond Honeycomb has developed an AI-based solution for analyzing the cooking state of food and reproducing it in large quantities. "KT" has introduced a blockchain-based solution for product traceability, and "GS Retail" has launched "Be-Link," a data service that verifies product information using blockchain technology.

The domestic alternative food market is expected to grow to KRW 280 billion by 2026. Tteuran launched Meatmalism, an alternative food brand using plant-based protein from domestic soybeans. Armored Fresh developed a 100% vegan cheese by combining almond milk with fermentation. Zikooin Company exports plant-based hamburger patties made from edamame. MetaTexture produces plant-based eggs, and WEMEET produces eco-friendly meat substitutes made from mushrooms and soybeans. In addition, "Cellmate," "DaNAgreen," "Seawith," "Nowon Biotech," "Daesang," "CJ CheilJedang" and "Pulmuone" are actively researching and developing technologies related to cultured meat. Seawith is notable for developing "C MEAT", a cultured meat production technology using seaweed, while "Foodyworm" produces natural high-molecular-weight amino polysaccharides derived from insects.

In 2021, approximately 3,500 serving robots were introduced in Korea, with the market size reaching around KRW 90 billion. By 2023, the number of trained units is estimated to exceed 11,000, with the market size expanding to approximately KRW 300 billion. Major companies such as "Samsung Electronics", "LG Electronics", and "Doosan Robotics" are actively participating in the cooking and serving robot market. As of 2021, 4.5% of domestic restaurants are using kiosks, and 'E-Mart 24' is expanding its unmanned convenience stores with the introduction of 'Just Pick and Out,' an unmanned payment service. Farm8 operates an indoor farm called Metro Farm, where agricultural products can be purchased through vending machines in subway stations.