IFT Show in Chicago, July 16-29, 2016

ATO Seoul recruited three Korean food ingredient buyers, and coordinated their visit to the Chicago IFT Show in order to promote the usage of US food ingredient products and to develop contacts with U.S. suppliers. At the annual IFT show, Korean buyers met with U.S. suppliers and reported $2 million in expected purchases over the next 12 months as a result of the show visit. Varying types of dairy products, encapsulated products, dehydrated fruits, processed ancient grain, pea protein, butter milk powder, edible oil, fiber from MGP and sweetener from T&L were principal food ingredients of interest sought by buyers. In conjunction with the show site visits, the Korean buyers visited several specialty stores, including Mariano’s neighborhood high-end grocery, wholefood market, Costco, and Eatly in the city of Chicago which was arranged by the mission members themselves. The group had an opportunity to visit the Chicago Board of Trade where a specialized trader escorted the group and explained the trading procedures.

Fancy Food Show in New York, June 25-28, 2016

ATO Seoul recruited four mission members, including three Korean processed food importers and a media reporter, to visit the Fancy Food Show in New York from June 25-28, 2016. A site visit in Brooklyn, arranged by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Fancy Food Show, included ‘Brooklyn EATS’ at the food & beverage trade show. A market tour arranged by the buyers, included visits to Whole Food Market, Trader Joes, and COSTCO among others. The group then attended the show site for its three-day opening. Delegation members gained a better understanding of U.S. agriculture, updated trends, and new-to-market products in the U.S. The products of most interest to mission members were confectionery, baby products, frozen cakes, new bakery products, cheese, nuts and others. As a result of the mission, Korean buyers engaged in business partnerships, with an expected $750,000 in sales over the next 12 months.

Jonathan Cordone, USDA Deputy Under Secretary Promotes American Beef to Korean Consumers, Home Plus Store in Seoul, Korea, June 9, 2016

USDA/DUS Cordone visited a Home Plus store in Seoul on June 9 and participated in an in-store sales promotion of U.S. beef organized by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The promotion, scheduled to take place for two weeks in some of the leading outlets under Home Plus, the second largest hypermarket grocery store chain in Korea, is expected to further the sales of U.S. beef in Korea while educating a large number of mainstream local consumers about the quality and value of U.S. beef. Furthermore, Mr. Cordone's participation in the promotion generated numerous articles in local newspapers and on-line press, helping the promotional impact of the event reach out further into the market.