Ferndale Foods Takes Jila into 16,500 South Korean Stores

Ferndale Foods Australia secured its largest international deal in September 2026, launching four Jila confectionery products across 16,500 South Korean retail outlets.

The Ballarat-based manufacturer rolled out the range across CU convenience stores and Olive Young health and beauty locations nationwide.

Distribution across CU and Olive Young

Initial shipments introduce four stock-keeping units from the Jila range, led by sugar-free gum, directly into high-traffic retail points across the peninsula.

CU operates one of South Korea’s largest convenience store footprints, while CJ Olive Young dominates the domestic health and beauty sector with prime foot-traffic locations in commercial centres and transit hubs.

Convenience retail dynamics in Seoul

South Korea represents one of the densest convenience store markets per capita globally, where checkout counter space dictates brand visibility and repeat impulse buying.

For imported confectionery makers, securing immediate nationwide distribution through established convenience and drugstore chains eliminates the friction of building fragmented regional sales routes.

Export expansion beyond domestic borders

The agreement marks a major geographic expansion for Ferndale Foods, which manufactures its sugar-free confectionery and mints out of regional Victoria.

Ballarat production facilities will supply the South Korean network directly, testing the manufacturer’s export packaging and high-volume supply chain logistics across North Asia.

Targeting 45,000 doors by June

Ferndale Foods is targeting 45,000 retail doors in South Korea by June 30 next year.

Talks are currently under way with additional major Korean convenience store operators to secure the remaining shelf space needed to meet that distribution target.