Northwest Wine Seminar, Tasting, Food Pairing Event, Plaza Hotel, Seoul / February 6, 2017

A group of 14 wine producers from the states of Oregon and Washington visited Seoul under the Northwest Wine Coalition (NWC) annual Asia trade mission. The NWC trade missions have played an instrumental role over the years in expanding export opportunities for producers in the Northwest wine region by promoting the quality and value of the wine that the states of Oregon and Washington have to offer to the Korean wine trade. In addition to educational seminars and a grand trade tasting event, the NWC trade mission this year offered an upscale food-wine pairing experience under the sponsorship of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), Potatoes USA, and the Cranberry Marketing Committee. Reflecting increased interest in Oregon and Washington wine in the market, all the events enjoyed a heavy traffic of attendees and generated serious dialogues between the suppliers and the Korean wine trade. American wine exports to Korea amounted to $22 million in 2016. Although California currently accounts for 90 percent of American wine exports, there is a growing opportunity for Oregon and Washington wine in Korea as wine consumers are interested in expanding their taste and experience. For more detailed information about the Korean wine market, please refer to the Korea Wine Market Report published by ATO Seoul (available from ATO Seoul homepage under Market Report section).

Gwangju International Food Fair 2016, November 17-20

The ATO leveraged an immediate opportunity to facilitate a U.S. Pavilion at the Gwangju International Food Fair 2016, November 17-20. ATO quickly identified a well targeted mix of exhibitors including a major Korean importer for U.S. food ingredients and representatives of Almond Board of California, U.S. Poultry & Egg Export Council and California Walnut Commission. The show exceeded the goals set by ATO Seoul. The U.S. food products on display included almonds and walnuts as well as a wide variety of bakery ingredients (toasted oatmeal, organic flour, half dried cranberry, frozen egg yolk, frozen pizza dough, frozen corn chips, cream cheese and butter). The exhibitors reported additional sales of $100,000 over the next 12 months and five serious trade leads. The ATO disseminated educational materials as well as its hardcopy newsletters and information guidebooks to buyers, chefs, consumers and food and health related institute students.

Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo 2016, Oct. 27 ~ 29

The U.S. Seafood Pavilion in the Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo 2016, Oct. 27 ~ 29, which was a collaboration between Seoul ATO and Food Export USA Northeast, developed nearly 40 serious trade leads from Korean seafood importers on various U.S. fishery products. ATO Seoul teamed up with the Food Export USA agricultural trade association, Ready Seafood and Maine Coast Company to exhibit U.S. lobsters and to provide information on U.S. seafood and food products in general. One-on-one business meetings held in the USA pavilion exhibit space and American food brochures and other materials distributed in the ATO information counter were recognized by all exhibitors and visitors as key events for developing business relationships between the two countries. The United States exported more than $233 million of seafood products to Korea in 2015, 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 August 2016.