Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo 2020

ATO Seoul partnered with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) and Food Export USA Northeast to organize a U.S. Pavilion at the 18th Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo 2020, November 5 – 7.  The event generated over 12 serious trade leads from Korean seafood importers interested in a range of U.S. fishery products.  ATO Seoul exhibited U.S. seafood samples and provided information on U.S. seafood suppliers and products to Korean buyers.  ASMI and Food Export USA NE also participated in the U.S. Pavilion by providing seafood suppliers directories and seafood information.  South Korea is the United States fourth largest export market for fishery products.  U.S. seafood products to Korea totaled $232 million in 2019 according to Korean import statistics.  Alaska pollack surimi, livers/roes/milt of Alaska pollack and other fish, flatfish, live lobsters, fish fins/heads/tails/maws/other edible fish offal, and frozen Alaska pollack fish, Atka mackerel, live hagfish, other fish frozen and cod are the top ten U.S. seafood exports to Korea.  The United States is also an important market for Korean seafood.  For more information on the Korean seafood market please read ATO Seoul Seafood Market Update 2020.

Great American Craft Beer Showcase Seoul @ KIBEX 2020, aT Center, Seoul, July 30 - August 1, 2020

The U.S. Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) Seoul and the Brewers Association (BA) co-organized the “Great American Craft Beer Showcase Seoul” at the Korea International Beer Expo (KIBEX) 2020, July 30 - August 3.  The ATO organized U.S. pavilion showcased a wide range of craft beer from 35 U.S. craft breweries, promoting the quality, value and diversity that the U.S. craft beer industry has to offer.  The 35 breweries were from 18 states, from Alaska to Maine.  Twelve of the breweries were new to the Korean market.  Approximately 1,500 people visited the pavilion during the show, including 500 beer industry buyers and professionals.  The show organizers took strict precautions to limit the risk of COVID-19.  This was ATO Seoul’s first in-person trade show in 2020.

Pacific Northwest Wine Specialist Certification Training for South Korea, Dragon City Hotel Seoul, February 19-20, 2020

The Northwest Wine Coalition (NWWC), representing the Oregon and Washington wine industries, hosted its first ‘Pacific Northwest Wine Specialist Certification Training’ for South Korea in Dragon City Hotel Seoul, February 19-20, 2020. The training was led by a renowned Master of Wine Bree Stock. Thirty-eight Korean wine professionals were certified as Pacific Northwest wine educators after the completing the training and passing an exam. The certified educators will share their knowledge and experience with local wine traders and consumers in Korea, expanding the market for quality wines from this unique American viticulture region. Tom Donowski (president of Oregon Wine Board) and Steve Warner (president of Washington State Wine Commission) attended the event, highlighting the importance of South Korea as a leading export market for American wines. NWWC plans to provide additional, higher level certification trainings for South Korea in the coming year.