ATO-KAFI Network Fieldtrip to Punch Bowl DMZ, April 21, 2017

ATO Seoul and a group of Korean food importers under KAFI (Korean Association of Independent Food Importers) made a network fieldtrip to the Punch Bowl in the DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) area in Gangwon province to further strengthen our relationships and forge new friendships. A total of 37 people joined the outing and enjoyed a rare opportunity to tour some key Korean war memorial sites in the DMZ area, including the Punch Bowl War Memorial Park, the 4th Underground Tunnel dug by North Korea, Eulji DMZ Observatory Tower as well as to visit the 21st Infantry Division under ROK Army that guards the area. The Punch Bowl area, which faces the border to North Korea is one of the most remembered Korean war memorial sites to both Koreans and Americans as over 3,000 American soldiers died there during fierce battles. KAFI members generously donated imported American snacks and beverages, worth almost $20,000 in commercial value, to the hard-working soldiers in the 21st division.

Korean Seafood Trade Mission to Seafood Expo North America 2017 Leads to $11 million in Potential Export Sales

ATO Seoul recruited mission members and coordinated the visit of six Korean seafood importers to the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) held in Boston, MA, March 19-21, 2017. The program allowed the importers to meet suppliers of various American seafood products and to gain a better understanding of the U.S. seafood sector. According to the mission participants surveyed right after the activity, the trade mission resulted in $11 million of potential purchases from U.S. seafood suppliers over the next 12 months. In calendar year 2016, Korea imported $227 million of U.S. seafood, slightly down from $233 million in 2015.

Natural Product Expo West (NPEW) 2017 Show

ATO recruited and supported seven Korean organic and natural product importers to attend the Natural Product Expo West (NPEW) 2017 Show held in Anaheim, California March 10-12, 2017, to develop new opportunities for trade. The post activity survey resulted in a $1.31 million sales estimate from mission members over the next 12 months. The products of interest included organic cheese products, organic cultured butter, 100% grass fed cheese and refined coconut oil products for food manufacturing, as well as, organic vegetable chips, cookies, fruit juices, snacks, dried fruits and nuts. Market tours were arranged with input from the mission members to visit retail and wholesale outlets to understand market trends and to identify new products to import. ATO developed new Korean-buyer contacts who expressed interest in using ATO services to improve their results at this trade show in the future.