Snacks are convenient treats that satisfy our taste buds with a variety of flavors. They are quick and easy to enjoy in everyday life. In addition to being a quick bite, they serve multiple purposes such as stress relief and energy replenishment. According to At Food Information Statistics System (FIS) statistics, the global snack market size reached USD 507.5 billion in 2022, an increase of 7.5% over the previous year. It is expected to reach USD 539.3 billion in 2023, indicating a continuous growth trend. This rapid growth is attributed to factors such as the convenience of snacking, the launch of diverse products tailored to consumer tastes and preferences, and the emergence of healthier snack options. The introduction of products that offer unique flavors, textures and indulgence has become a trend in the snack market. Collaborations between renowned restaurants or food companies have led to the creation of snacks with specific menu items or flavors, and products with unconventional textures to relieve stress and boredom. In particular, Nongshim, a leading snack company in Korea, introduced "Muktaekkang," which sold over 6 million units within just three months of its release, proving its popularity. In addition, Lotte Mart collaborated with HBAF (nut processing company) and seafood processing specialist 'Sunhae Marine' to launch three varieties of HBAF Alaska Fish Snacks. Crown's potato snack "Awesome" capitalized on its unique texture, presenting a distinctive taste with its geometrically shaped triangles and showcasing the crispy texture of potatoes in a new and differentiated way. With the growing interest in health and wellness, consumers are increasingly choosing snacks that align with their healthy lifestyles. As a result, a new trend known as "healthy pleasure" has emerged, leading to the release of various health snacks that offer high protein, low calorie and sugar-free options. High-protein snacks include Pulmuone's Tofu Chips, Haitai's Snapea Chips made from peas, and Chong Kun Dang's Tastyn Protein Chips. For those who want to maintain a healthy diet while on a diet, products such as Orion's "Oat Digestive" oat cookies and Daesang's "O'food Seaweed Chips" are made from seaweed. Many snacks are being developed to satisfy consumers' tastes, enjoyment, health, and unique characteristics. Therefore, consumers need to make informed choices, consider nutrition, and consume healthy snacks in moderation. As the trend toward healthier eating habits continues, snacks that emphasize nutrition and healthy ingredients are gaining popularity. Embracing the concept of "healthy pleasure," snacks that feature quality protein sources are making their debut. High-protein snacks include Pulmuone's Tofu Chips, Haitai's Snapea Chips made from chickpeas, and Jonggaegnang's Tastyn Protein Chips. The snack market is evolving to meet the tastes of diverse consumers by satisfying their desires for taste and enjoyment while taking into account health, consumer trends, and the use of high-quality ingredients.

Hanwoomul is a food manufacturing company that specializes in a variety of frozen rice products that are developed and produced for both domestic and international markets. Their product line includes five types of rice balls such as "Cheese Chicken Rice Ball" and "Tuna Kimchi Rice Ball", as well as a selection of rice dishes such as "Gimbap," "Chadol Doenjang Rice," "Chadol Jjamppong Rice," "Beef Seaweed Soup Rice" and "Hanwoomul Yukgaejang Soup Rice." They also offer "Rice Cheese Balls Tomato" and "Rice Cheese Balls Original" as well as a variety of 27 fried rice products such as "Charcoal Grilled Chicken Fried Rice", "Kimchi Fried Rice" and "Japchae Fried Rice". These products are frozen for convenience and quick preparation. Charcoal Grilled Chicken Fried Rice is made with 47.12% rice and 20.13% chargrilled chicken thigh meat (92.29% chicken thigh meat), giving it a rich flavor from the charcoal grilling process. This dish can be conveniently reheated on a stove or in a microwave for as little as 4 minutes. As for the "Hawaiian Musubi Gimbap," it delicately combines savory thick ham with tender scrambled eggs. Containing 33.43% scrambled eggs, 32.99% pressed ham, 26.51% rice, and 22% seasoned seaweed, it can be easily thawed in the microwave for 5 minutes. In addition, newly released products such as "Beef Seaweed Soup Rice," "Chadol Doenjang Rice," and "Chadol Jjamppong Rice" are designed for quick heating directly in the microwave for instant consumption. Founded in 2006 as Hanwoomul Farming Cooperative Corporation, the company was renamed as Hanwoomul Co., Ltd., an agricultural corporation, in November 2018. They shifted from agricultural processing to food processing. They began their frozen fried rice business in earnest in 2009, and launched frozen fried rice in July that year. In May 2016, they obtained organic processed food certification for "Gondeurenamul Rice". They received SQF (LEVEL3) certification in October 2016 and BRC FOOD certification in July 2017. They achieved sales of over KRW 100 billion last year and are targeting KRW 130 billion in 2024. They operate two factories with a total area of 13,000 square feet with over 450 employees and plan to complete the construction of a third factory in May next year. On April 6, 2016, Hanwoomul Farming Cooperative Corporation became the first in Korea to export 5 tons of "Gondeurenamul Rice" to Taiwan. The rice variety, developed by Hanwoomul Farming Cooperative Corporation through in-house research and development in 2013, quickly gained popularity in the domestic market and secured the top spot in sales as a single product at Costco in Korea. Their export journey began with modest exports of USD 50,000 in 2016, steadily increasing to USD 1.97 million in 2020, USD 2.26 million in 2021, USD 4.1 million in 2022, and USD 5.6 million in 2023, with projections to reach USD 10 million this year. They have expanded their reach beyond Taiwan, entering markets in Australia, China, the UK, and other countries following their initial exports. In July 2017, they made their debut in the United States, further expanding their export footprint. In addition to their export ventures, Hanwoomul supplies OEM products to major domestic companies such as CJ, Pulmuone, and Samyang. In 2019, they developed the first frozen gimbap in Korea, and after being sold at Costco in Korea, they became the only frozen gimbap brand sold at Costco in the US. Recently, they have been featured on various social networks such as YouTube and Instagram, which has led to a rapid increase in sales both domestically and internationally. By 2030, Hanwoomul aims to expand to 40 countries and become the number-one frozen rice company in the world.