[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Nongshim announced on August 6 that it has begun full-scale exports of its popular Korean snack Melon Kick to North America (United States and Canada), aiming to strengthen its presence in global markets. The company is initially shipping 40,000 boxes (approximately USD 400,000), with total exports expected to reach 100,000 boxes (approximately USD 1 million).



Melon Kick will be sold primarily through Asian supermarkets across North America. Nongshim is also working to secure distribution deals with major retailers such as Walmart, as well as online platforms including Amazon.



To increase accessibility for local consumers, the North American version features English-language packaging and comes in two sizes: 45g and 180g, tailored to local distribution needs.



A Nongshim spokesperson stated, “Global interest in Banana Kick has rapidly expanded to Melon Kick, and we’re receiving export inquiries from many countries. We are currently pursuing exports to Japan, China, Vietnam, Chile, and others.”



The company launched Melon Kick earlier this year to coincide with a surge in interest in the Kick snack series—particularly after Banana Kick was spotlighted as BLACKPINK Jennie’s favorite snack. This timing maximized the synergy of the product line.



The Kick series continues to enjoy strong popularity into the second half of the year. Melon Kick became the top-selling snack in major convenience stores and supermarkets just nine days after launch in April and has since sold over 7.2 million bags in just three months—about 20% more than the 6 million bags sold by Eoctae-kkang during the same post-launch period.



Banana Kick has also seen renewed popularity among tourists and recorded a 30% year-over-year increase in domestic sales over the past three months, with exports doubling.



Melon Kick is the first new Kick series product in nearly 50 years, following the original Banana Kick launched in 1978. It blends Korean-grown musk melon and milk to deliver a sweet and mellow melon flavor. Like its predecessor, the snack offers a crunchy yet melt-in-your-mouth texture and retains the signature curved shape to preserve the brand identity.

 

 

 

 

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