Costco shoppers have been left puzzled by a new SPAM gift set appearing on shelves, but the reason behind its arrival is linked to Lunar New Year celebrations. The gift set, which includes classic and hot and spicy varieties of chopped pork and ham, features a horse on its packaging, hinting at the upcoming Year of the Horse in 2026.
SPAM, produced by American firm Hormel Foods, gained popularity during the Second World War and has become a luxury gift item in South Korea, where it is considered a symbol of prosperity and thoughtfulness. South Korea is the second-largest consumer of SPAM globally, after the United States.
The gift set retails for between 20,000 and 120,000 won (approximately £10 to £60) in South Korea. Its appearance in UK Costco stores at the end of January aligns with preparations for Lunar New Year, which falls on February 17, 2026.
Costco regularly updates its stock based on seasonal demand, and the SPAM gift set is a seasonal offering tied to the holiday. While some shoppers on TikTok expressed confusion, others noted the cultural significance of the product.
