CJ CheilJedang, a leading South Korean food company, announced today the launch of "Bibigo Korean BBQ Fried Rice," a shelf-stable ready-to-eat fried rice, in the North American market. This marks the company's first foray into the shelf-stable fried rice segment in the region, where it has previously focused on frozen fried rice products.

The new Bibigo Korean BBQ Fried Rice is made with CJ CheilJedang's proprietary natural seasoning, TasteNRich, which enhances the authentic flavor of Korean barbecue. It also features brown rice for a more nutritious and satisfying meal. The product is shelf-stable with a 15-month shelf life, making it convenient for consumers to store and enjoy.

"With just 90 seconds in the microwave, consumers can enjoy restaurant-quality fried rice at home," said a company spokesperson. "The convenient cup format, similar to the popular Hetbahn ready-to-eat rice, makes it easy to prepare and serve."

Unlike traditional pouch-style fried rice commonly found in North America, the Bibigo Korean BBQ Fried Rice comes in a cup, eliminating the need to transfer the cooked rice to a separate bowl.

The product is currently available at major grocery retailers such as Walmart and Publix, with plans to expand distribution to other channels.

CJ CheilJedang's shelf-stable white rice has been experiencing steady growth in North America. Last year, sales of Hetbahn white rice increased by approximately 20.6% to 160 billion won, and year-to-date sales through September have grown by approximately 12% compared to the same period last year. Hetbahn white rice is currently available at Costco in the United States, Australia, and Mexico, and the company plans to expand its distribution channels further.

Hong Jung-wook, head of P-Rice at CJ CheilJedang, said, "We plan to cultivate shelf-stable fried rice as a major product following the success of white rice, and continue to drive the popularity of K-instant rice."

Key points highlighted in this article:

New product launch: CJ CheilJedang has launched "Bibigo Korean BBQ Fried Rice" in the North American market.
Shelf-stable convenience: The product is shelf-stable with a 15-month shelf life and can be prepared in 90 seconds.
Authentic flavor: The fried rice features CJ CheilJedang's proprietary natural seasoning and brown rice.
Convenient packaging: The cup format makes it easy to prepare and serve.
Expanding distribution: The product is available at major retailers and will be expanded to more channels.
Growing popularity of K-instant rice: CJ CheilJedang's Hetbahn white rice has seen significant growth in North America.
This article effectively conveys the key points of the press release, highlighting the product's unique features, the company's strategic expansion into the North American market, and the growing popularity of Korean food in the region.