Export low-calorie hallabong and green grapeade to target the local market with high demand for fruit-flavored drinks
사진 확대 Hallabongade and Green Grapeade that Ilhwa exports to Mexico. Ilhwa
Ilhwa, a global food and beverage health company, is targeting the Latin American market by officially exporting its beverage products to Mexico for the first time. The strategy is to secure new overseas markets by introducing products with Korean fruit flavor in the local market where consumption of carbonated drinks is active.
Ilhwa announced on the 30th that it will export two types of green grapeade and hallabongade to Mexico. This export is Ilhwa’s first official export to Mexico.
This achievement was made in the wake of the ‘K Food + Buyer Export Consultation Meeting in the First Half of 2026’ held in April. Ilhwa signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Megazone, a local distributor in Mexico at the time, and has been pushing for product sales through local distribution channels.
The exported products, Hallabong Aide and Green Grape Aide, are fruit carbonated drinks that utilize the flavor of Jeju Hallabong and Green Grape, respectively. It is also characterized by lowering calories by about a third compared to its existing ade products. It is said that it is a product that can be enjoyed more lightly while maintaining a fruit taste and refreshing feeling.
The product will be sold first through 10 stores of “Bógl Bógl,” a local Korean mart, and through the official online mall of MegaZone. Ilhwa plans to review the possibility of expanding its distribution network after checking local consumer reactions centered on initial sales channels.
Mexico is considered a market where consumption of carbonated drinks is active and demand for various fruit-flavored drinks is high. On top of that, as interest in Korean food and beverages, including K-food, has increased recently, domestic food and beverage companies are also entering the Latin American market.
Ilhwa plans to expand its contact with local consumers with ade products with Korean fruit flavor in consideration of such market characteristics. In particular, it is expected that it will be able to present different options from existing carbonated drinks through locally differentiated fruit concepts such as Hallabong and green grapes.
Another meaning of this export is that overseas buyer consultation led to actual contracts and local distribution. It is said that it has secured local distribution partners and even connected product sales, not just one-off contact through overseas exhibitions or consultations.
Ilhwa plans to explore the possibility of further entry into Latin America in the future based on whether the Mexican market has settled. The strategy is to expand product and sales channels by analyzing local consumers’ preferences and distribution environments, and increase brand awareness in the Latin American market.
Han Hyun-woo, head of Ilhwa F&B Business Division, said, “This export is meaningful in that overseas buyer consultation is an example of actual contracts and local distribution. Starting with Mexico, we will expand opportunities for Latin American consumers to experience Ilhwa products and increase brand awareness in the global market.”