Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

hy Co., Ltd., formerly known as Korea Yakult, is a leading South Korean manufacturer of dairy-based functional beverages and probiotic health foods. With headquarters in Seoul and a nationwide cold chain delivery infrastructure, the company has pioneered Korea’s probiotic drink market since its founding in 1969. hy Co., Ltd. is widely recognized for its innovation in lactic acid bacteria research, extensive distribution network, and diversified portfolio under flagship brands like "hy", "hyLabs", and "Paldo".

Core Business

The company’s core business revolves around the R&D, production, and direct-to-consumer distribution of functional beverages, dairy products, and probiotic supplements. It is best known for launching Korea’s first probiotic yogurt drink and continues to lead the market with its cutting-edge strain development through its hy Microbiome Research Institute.

Product and Service Offerings

hy’s product portfolio spans across four main categories:

• Fermented Dairy Drinks

  • Probiotic dairy beverages similar to Yakult
  • Liquid yogurt and drinkable yogurts
  • Premium cultured milk drinks with specialized strains

• Functional and Traditional Beverages

  • Sikhye (sweet rice drink) and Sujeonggwa (cinnamon punch)
  • Fruit juices, lemonades, grain shakes
  • Bottled spring and alkaline water

• Health Functional Foods & Supplements

  • hyLabs HY7714: Probiotic strain for skin hydration
  • hyLabs FatSlim HY7601+KY1032: Weight management probiotics
  • Functional jellies, tablets, and granule sachets

• Other FMCG Products

  • Instant coffee mixes
  • Paldo-branded snacks and noodles
  • Mixed grain and cereal powder products

The company also engages in OEM/ODM contract manufacturing and probiotic ingredient supply for food and health product companies globally.

Specialization and Core USP

hy’s competitive edge lies in its vertically integrated system, which includes:

• In-house probiotic strain development and fermentation technology
• hy Microbiome Research Center with over 50 patented strains
• Direct sales network of over 10,000 "Lady" sales agents delivering chilled products to households
• Cold-chain logistics infrastructure ensuring freshness and safety
• Functional food and supplement integration into mainstream beverage formats

This holistic control over development, production, and delivery has enabled the company to maintain leadership in quality, innovation, and brand trust.

Financials and Growth Trajectory

hy Co., Ltd. has remained one of Korea’s top private food companies by revenue:

• Revenue (2023): KRW 1.3 trillion (~USD 1 billion)
• Operating Profit (2023): KRW 48.2 billion (~USD 36.7 million)
• Export growth rate: +24% CAGR since 2020
• Functional supplement sales: Account for 30%+ of product portfolio by value

International expansion of the hyLabs line and Paldo-branded products in Southeast Asia and North America is contributing to double-digit global growth.

Export and Shipment Data

hy Co., Ltd. is actively exporting through both B2B and retail channels:

• Key export markets: Vietnam, Thailand, China, USA, Australia, UAE
• Export formats: RTD beverages, powdered probiotics, functional snacks
• Annual exports: Estimated over USD 60 million in value (2023)
• Global partnerships: Includes licensed manufacturing and distribution in Japan and Taiwan

The company utilizes both its own cold-chain freight partners and established international logistics providers for global distribution.

Target Market

hy Co., Ltd. serves a broad customer base:

• Health-conscious individuals looking for functional probiotics and drinks
• Young adults and parents seeking immune and digestion support
• Retail chains and supermarkets carrying dairy drinks and supplements
• Foodservice businesses including cafes and convenience stores
• Global nutraceutical and FMCG brands via OEM/ingredient supply

The company is also increasing digital D2C presence via its "hyFresh" delivery and subscription platform.

Capabilities

• Manufacturing facilities: 7 major production plants across South Korea
• Production capacity: Over 5 million probiotic beverages per day
• Strain bank: 4,000+ lactic acid bacteria strains stored and patented
• Certifications: HACCP, ISO 22000, GMP, Halal
• Technology: Smart factory automation, strain fermentation optimization, AI-based product development

hy's proprietary delivery model enables product delivery within 24 hours in most major Korean cities.

Certifications and Compliance

hy maintains the highest global standards in food safety and quality:

• ISO 22000 & HACCP: Food safety and hazard control compliance
• GMP Certified: For dietary supplement production
• Halal Certification: For key probiotic products exported to Southeast Asia
• FDA-compliant facility registration: For U.S. exports
• Environmental Certifications: Green Management System & Energy Efficiency awards

Products are tested for microbiological safety, strain viability, and efficacy through in-house and third-party labs.

Customer Testimonials

“The functional probiotic drinks from hy are incredibly well-received in our chain. They represent both innovation and tradition in Korean FMCG.”
— Lee Min-Ho, Product Development Lead, CJ Mart

“HY7714 is one of the most clinically supported skin probiotics we’ve worked with. The demand for beauty-from-within is growing fast.”
— Maria L., Senior Category Manager, VitaWell USA

Major Achievements

• First to introduce lactic acid bacteria dairy drinks in Korea (1971)
• Patented over 50 unique probiotic strains through hy Research Center
• Established hyLabs brand in 2020 for global supplement market
• Delivered over 20 billion probiotic drink bottles to date
• Expanded cold-chain direct sales system to nationwide reach with 10,000+ sales agents

hy Co., Ltd. continues to lead the probiotic and functional beverage industry in Korea by integrating scientific research, innovative products, and customer-centric distribution across domestic and global markets.