Spam Sales Are Booming With Consumers Seeking Out Comfort

Consumers look to cut down on costs with tinned options
U.S. meat shortages also propped up the cult favorites

Cans of CJ CheilJedang Spam ham sit on the production line at the company’s factory in Jincheon, South Korea.Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Ken Parks, Jackie Davalos, Greg Ritchie, and Heesu Lee

June 20, 2020 at 1:02 PM UTC

Updated on

June 22, 2020 at 2:20 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Canned meat is having a moment.

Demand is booming across the globe. In the U.S., sales surged more than 70% in the 15 weeks ended June 13. In the U.K., consumption of canned corned beef has taken off. Even in South Korea, where Spam is an old favorite, sales are expanding at the fastest pace in years.