ATO Seoul Organizes U.S. Pavilion at Seoul Food 2023, KINTEX, May 30 – June 2, 2023

From May 30 - June 2, 2023, ATO Seoul organized a U.S. pavilion at Seoul Food 2023 for a visiting U.S. delegation consisting of 33 U.S. food exporters and 5 U.S. agricultural trade promotion organizations. Seoul Food is the biggest food-focused trade show in Korea and the U.S. pavilion was one of the largest exhibitors.  The delegation showcased a wide range of products including chocolate, edible oils, coffee, condiments, dried fruits, cheese, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, nuts, juice, meat, organic and vegan foods.

Marking the 70^th anniversary of the alliance between the United States and South Korea in 2023, the two countries have been important trade partners in many sectors, including in food and agriculture.  U.S. exports of agricultural and related products to Korea reached a record-high of over $10 billion in 2022, making Korea the fifth largest country export market for U.S. agricultural and related products.  The United States is the largest supplier of food and agricultural products to Korea, accounting for approximately 25% of the country’s imports in the sector.

Korean Seafood Trade Mission to Seafood Expo Global 2023 Leads to $11.3 million in Potential Export Sales

ATO Seoul brought five Korean seafood importers to the Seafood Expo Global (SEG) held in Barcelona, Spain, April 25-27, 2023; This trade mission introduced the Korean importers to American seafood products and suppliers at SEG. The trade mission resulted in several contracts for U.S. seafood signed on the spot as well as an estimated $11.3 million in potential purchases from U.S. seafood suppliers over the next 12 months. According to BICO data, the U.S.A. exported $455 million of seafood to Korea in 2022 and Korea is the United States fourth largest seafood export market.

Great American Craft Beer Showcase at KIBEX 2023 (April 6-8, 2023)

ATO Seoul in a partnership with the Brewers Association (BA) organized the 'Great American Craft Beer Showcase' at the Korea International Beer Expo (KIBEX) on April 6-8, 2023. A total of 36 breweries participated in the activity, showcasing the quality, value, and diversity that the U.S. craft beer industry has to offer. Eleven of them were breweries who were looking for Korean import distribution partners. Four of the new breweries traveled to the project with the BA EDP. ATO Seoul represented the remaining seven breweries at the show, meeting with potential Korean importers and pouring samples to consumer visitors on their behalf. Nine Korean import distribution partners joined the project and exhibited for the 25 breweries that they represent. According to the outcome survey, four import distributors who participated at the Showcase reported a total of $13,350 on-site sales and three forecasted $35,000 of sales growth within 12 months. Over 3,000 beer consumers visited the Great American Craft Beer Showcase booth during the three-day show period and tasted a wide diversity of American craft beer, and each import distributor responded that it met 2,200 beer consumer visitors on average during the show.