Korean Processed Organic Food Buyers Delegation to Natural Product Expo West 2018, Anaheim, CA, March 7-12

ATO Seoul brought a delegation of thirteen Korean processed organic food buyers to the Natural Product Expo West (NPEW) 2018, March 7-12. The delegation was composed of buyers from both large-scale retail stores and independent import distributors. The activity allowed the buyers to generate face-to-face contacts with a large number of American suppliers of high-value processed organic food and beverage products on the show floor. In addition, ATO organized educational fieldtrips to local organic grocery stores and premium retail food outlets during the trip to expand the buyers’ understanding of the organic food supply chain and on-going product trends in the United States. A follow-up survey administered right after the trip revealed that the activity generated $250,000 of actual sales signed on the show floor and an estimated additional $4.28 million of potential new sales to American suppliers within the next 12 months.

American Food Pavillion @Gwangju International Food Fair 2017, November 23-26

ATO Seoul partnered with three USDA cooperators and three independent import distributors to organize an 'American Food Pavilion' at the Gwangju International Food Fair (GIFF) 2017. GIFF is one of the leading annual food events in Jeollanamdo province that plays an important role in developing new businesses and consumption trends in local food markets. GIFF 2017 presented 240 exhibitors from 20 countries. Over the four days of exhibition, over 10,000 local consumers and food industry professionals visited the show. The American Food Pavilion exhibited a wide diversity of American products including California prunes, dehydrated potato flour, dried cranberries, craft beer, cream cheese, organic wheat flour, and hot sauces. The activity allowed the participating cooperators and import distributors to promote the quality, value and diversity of American products to local consumers. In addition, the three participating import distributors generated $90,000 of potential sales to the regional market as a result.

Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo 2017, November 8~10

The U.S. Seafood Pavilion in the Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo 2017, Nov. 8 - 10 managed by ATO Seoul developed over 20 serious trade leads from Korean seafood importers of various U.S. fishery products. ATO Seoul exhibited various U.S. seafood publications of USDA cooperators and state regional trade groups and provided information on U.S. seafood suppliers and on U.S. food products in general for Korean buyers. Business meetings with local importers held in the USA pavilion exhibit space and American food brochures and other materials distributed in the ATO information counter were recognized by visitors as key events for developing business relationships between the two countries. The United States exported more than $227 million of seafood products to Korea in 2016, and this year’s sales as of the third quarter are keeping with last year’s pace. For more information on the Korean seafood market please read ATO Seoul Seafood Products Annual Report September 2017.