Maeil Dairies, a leading dairy company in Korea, launched their oat drink brand Amazing Oat in 2022, using Finnish oats supplied by Fazer Mills. While Maeil Dairies is expanding their oat business, maintaining the company’s high and consistent product quality is non-negotiable.
Mr. Changhyun Sung, team leader of grain products in research & development at , says Maeil’s top priority is the well-being of customers. Maeil contributes to a healthy and happy society by creating and offering a healthier, tastier, and newer approach every day.
“Food plays a powerful role in achieving this vision,” Sung describes. He adds that meeting the constant challenge to stay one step ahead with a bold, pioneering spirit has made Maeil a leader in Korea’s food and beverage industry.
Quality at the heart of the partnership
Maeil developed its oat drink brand with the goal of creating a clean-label product that balances excellent taste with high nutritional value and is tailored to the preferences of Korean consumers.
“During the development of Amazing Oat, we evaluated oats from various countries and suppliers. Fazer Mills’ stood out as the best in terms of nutritional value, quality, taste and texture,” Sung says.
“We place great importance on maintaining a high and stable beta-glucan content, as well as ensuring a creamy, smooth texture. This largely depends on how the oats are processed.”
Sung emphasizes the importance of product safety and meticulous quality management. Maeil pays close attention to potential risks associated with grains, such as the presence of foreign matter, pesticide residues, and heavy metals.
“Since the launch of Amazing Oat about four years ago, Fazer Mills has consistently supplied us with high-quality oats without a single quality-related claim, which we believe is a clear reflection of their world-class expertise in oat production and quality control.”
Rapid growth in oat-based products
Sung says that as Korean consumers have become increasingly health-conscious and environmentally aware, anticipation of growing demand for plant-based alternatives, particularly in oat-based beverages, is rewarded.
“Notably, we were the first in Korea to develop whole-oat grain milk technology, earning patents and technical recognition. Compared to leading global products, Amazing Oat stands out for its lower sugar, higher , and rich, creamy taste, driving its rapid market success.”
Sung sees that Fazer Mills’ technical support has been valuable from the product development launch to introducing the benefits of oats to the Korean consumers. Finland is also seen positively by Korean consumers.
“Finland is often associated with a clean Nordic environment, Santa Claus, and being ranked no.1 in the world for happiness,” Sung notes. “That’s why we highlight the fact that Amazing Oat is made with oats from Finland.”
Long-term collaboration in development and innovations
Maeil Dairies long-term vision is to become a leading innovator in the global plant-based market. In the coming years, Maeil plans to expand their oat-based portfolio to align with evolving health trends and diverse consumer needs within Korea and in global markets.
The future product range includes developing high-protein oat drinks, clean-label oat drinks, and other healthier oat-based options. Beyond beverages, Maeil also aims to broaden their offerings to a wider range of oat-based foods, such as oatmeal and oat-based snacks. Sung adds that, to achieve this ambitious goal, they need a strategic and trustworthy partner. Fazer Mills’ long-standing expertise in oats, practices, and consistent quality have impressed Maeil.
“Looking ahead, we believe it is essential for Maeil and Fazer Mills to work together; not only to ensure a stable supply of high-quality ingredients, but also to co-develop new ideas and innovations. Fazer Mills’ deep expertise in oats, prior research and technical insight will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in this journey.”
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