IFT Show in Chicago, July 11-14, 2015

ATO Seoul recruited 6 food ingredients Korean buyers and coordinated the visit to the Chicago IFT Show to develop contacts with U.S. suppliers for food processing ingredients. At the annual IFT show, the Korean buyers met with U.S. suppliers and reported $6.87 million in expected purchases over the next 12 months as a result of the show. Varying types of powder products, juices, sugar, sauces, dried fruits and nuts were principal food ingredients of interest sought by buyers. While the primary target of the mission was the IFT show, the team visited several specialty stores, including Mariano’s neighborhood high end grocery, wholefood market, Costco, Eataly in the city of Chicago which was arranged by the six mission members themselves. At show site, one food research company had been presenting their recent project ideas to the visitors such as several fermented foods, super foods and other updated food market trends. Their presentation also introduced some Korean traditional cuisine as healthy foods.

Fancy Food Show in New York, June 28-30, 2015

ATO Seoul recruited 6 mission members including Korean confectionery importers to visit the Fancy Food Show in New York, June 28-30, 2015. There was a site visit program in Baltimore arranged by Maryland State Department of Agriculture, visiting a farmers market, specialty foods grocery stores, Costco and a farm, and then moved to New York. Delegation members gained better understanding of U.S. agriculture, farmers and product trends. The products of most interest were confectionery, baby products, frozen cakes, new bakery products, cheese, nuts and others. As a result of the mission, the Korean buyers were likely to engage in business partnerships, with expected $1 million in sales over the next 12 months.

Korean Wine Industry Leaders Attend Washington State Wine Experience 2015

A group of six leaders of the Korean wine industry attended the Washington State Wine Experience (WSWE) 2015, May 17 – 22 under the sponsorship of the Washington State Wine Commission (WSC). The event allowed the Korean attendees to gain hands-on understanding about the value, quality and diversity of Washington state wine. The attendees also developed contacts with a large number of Washington state wine producers and marketers during the trip for potential business partnerships. A follow-up survey administered right after the trip indicated that the Korean attendees would generate launchings of two new Washington state wines in Korea ($50,000 of initial export value); launching of a Washington state wine course in a leading wine education institute in Korea that will educate some 100 endorsers of Washington state wine each year; featuring ten promotional articles about Washington state wine by a leading wine SNS provider to 25,000 Korean wine consumers within the next 12 months following the trip.