The Present and Future of the Food Market in Northeast Asia: Confectionery Markets

The Asian food market has been growing recently, due to the role played by major Asian countries, which include Korea, China, and Japan. This study is purposed to investigate the potential of the food market in these Northeast Asian countries and to suggest future direction for global food companies. For in-depth analysis, this study is limited in scope to the confectionery market and analyzes that market within two frameworks: first, the 'Market Attractiveness Matrix' which transforms the 'BCG Matrix' to fit into the food market in order to analyze the flow in the Asian confectionery market; and second, analysis of the potential growth of the market using a Category Development Index (CDI), which aids in understanding the growth potential of a market. The European food market has recently reached its capacity and is now experiencing a low growth rate (Data Monitor, 2011). It is time for food companies to find a new 'blue ocean' to avoid fierce competition in the mature markets of Europe. Therefore, this analysis of the confectionery market, using the Market Attractiveness Matrix and CDI will suggest opportune directions for global food companies.