老乾媽作為中國辣醬界的代表品牌，被譽為“國貨之光”，在國內市場長期占據龍頭地位，年收入約達50億元人民幣。老乾媽不僅深受中國消費者喜愛，也獲得眾多外國食客的青睞，甚至有外國人對其味道讚不絕口。在全球華人社區中，老乾媽也常常被大量採購，成為海外華人懷念家鄉味道的重要來源。許多海外超市中，老乾媽經常出現斷貨的情況，可見其國際受歡迎程度之高。

然而，報導同時指出，有一家美國辣醬品牌味好美其實遠超老乾媽的市場規模，年收入高達300億元人民幣，遠超老乾媽的50億元。這家美國辣醬品牌已在中國市場潛伏長達30年，不少中國消費者甚至誤以為它是本土品牌。這個現象反映出全球化背景下品牌認知與市場競爭的複雜性——即便是外國品牌，也能透過長期經營、適應本地口味和文化需求，成功融入並擴展中國市場。

整體而言，這則新聞不僅揭示辣醬市場的國際競爭態勢，也凸顯消費者對家鄉味道的情感依附。老乾媽作為中國的象徵性辣醬，承載著文化與情感認同；而美國品牌則通過規模化經營和全球化佈局，展示跨國品牌在本土市場取得成功的潛力與策略智慧。這種對比反映中國辣醬市場既具有傳統文化價值，又面臨國際品牌的激烈挑戰。

Lao Gan Ma, often celebrated as a “national treasure” of Chinese condiments, has long dominated the domestic market, generating an annual revenue of approximately 5 billion RMB. The brand is beloved not only by Chinese consumers but also by international food enthusiasts, with many foreigners praising its distinctive flavor. Among overseas Chinese communities, Lao Gan Ma is frequently purchased in large quantities, as it provides a nostalgic taste of home. In fact, it is so popular that it often sells out in supermarkets abroad, demonstrating its widespread international appeal.

However, the report also points out that an American hot sauce brand far surpasses Lao Gan Ma in revenue, earning as much as 30 billion RMB annually—six times that of Lao Gan Ma. This American brand McCormick has been present in the Chinese market for over 30 years, with many Chinese consumers even mistakenly believing it to be a domestic product. This phenomenon underscores the complexity of global brand recognition and market competition: foreign brands can successfully integrate into local markets by adapting to local tastes and cultural preferences, achieving significant growth and acceptance over time.

Overall, the story not only reveals the competitive dynamics of the hot sauce industry but also highlights consumers’ emotional attachment to the flavors of home. Lao Gan Ma embodies cultural identity and nostalgia, while the American brand demonstrates how multinational companies can leverage scale and global strategy to thrive in local markets. The contrast between the two illustrates that China’s hot sauce market is shaped both by traditional cultural value and intense international competition.