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.

Frozen foods are processed, prepared, or cooked before being preserved for an extended period of time by freezing and storage in containers or packages. This definition includes items that are consumed without heating and those that require heating prior to consumption. Non-heated frozen foods include frozen rice cakes, fish cakes and garlic, while heated options include dumplings and pizza. Growing demand for convenience foods and advances in rapid freezing and thawing technologies have led to the introduction of a variety of frozen food products, resulting in continuous market growth. As of 2021, the scale of frozen food production in Korea reached KRW 3.449 trillion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 8.1% since 2017. In the frozen dumpling market, an important segment of frozen food, the market share among manufacturers was led by CJ CheilJedang (47.5%), Haitai Confectionery & Foods (15.2%), and Pulmuone Foods (12.7%) based on retail sales in 2022. CJ CheilJedang maintains its top position by promptly releasing food products in line with market trends. The trend in the frozen dumpling market revolves around products that reflect the preferences of leading consumer groups, Millennials and Gen Z, emphasizing fun and distinctive features. GS25 collaborated with Cookat to launch frozen dumplings (ㅋㅋ Dumplings) with 25% more pork content, improving succulence and affordability. It became the top-selling product in the frozen dumpling category (as of February 2023) within a month of its launch. Seven Eleven introduced premium handmade dumplings (Seoul Dumplings), which gained immense popularity after being launched in frozen form in June 2021, selling approximately 250,000 units by May 2022. In addition to frozen dumplings, frozen desserts have diversified into side dishes and snacks, offering various frozen products. Products such as Pulmuone's Sweet Cinnamon Hotteok, CJ CheilJedang's Gourmet Potato Cheese Corndog and Daerim's Traditional Fish Shaped Bun cater to the tastes of different generations and provide convenient snacks that can be quickly heated. In 2022, frozen food exports totaled USD 48.848 million, an increase of 7.8% over the previous year. This was driven by improved quality and growing interest in Korean-style frozen food. In particular, exports of Korean corn dogs increased by 162.7% year on year after their introduction in the United States, Europe, Asia, and other regions sparked consumer curiosity. With the diversification of taste, packaging and ingredients, the frozen food market is expected to witness various product innovations.