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.

U.S. Food Products Showcased at Seoul Food & Hotel Show 2016, KINTEX, May 10-13, 2016

More than 60 American companies and trade associations comprising the largest ever U.S. Pavilion represented a wide range of products in Korea’s largest international food and agriculture show, Seoul Food & Hotel 2016. It is clear that renewed enthusiasm for agricultural trade between the United States and Korea is due in large part to the Korea -- U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) implemented on March 15, 2012. In its fourth year of implementation, KORUS FTA has eliminated or reduced duties on many American food products leading to U.S. exports of high-value, consumer oriented products to Korea reaching a record $3.6 billion. U.S. exhibitors representing a wide array of products including blueberries, dairy products, organic foods, snack foods, drinks and meat products reported making many quality contacts and on-site sales of $6.7 million and a preliminary estimate of expected sales during the next 12 months totaling $26.7 million. For more information on export opportunities to our 5th largest market under KORUS FTA please visit ATO Seoul Home Page (KORUS FTA).

Great American Craft Beer Showcase @ Seoul Int’l Wine & Spirits Expo 2016: April 20-23, COEX Seoul

In partnership with the Brewers Association, ATO Seoul presented the ‘Great American Craft Beer Showcase’ during the Seoul International Wines & Spirits Expo 2016. A total of 26 American craft breweries participated in the exhibition, offering an opportunity for the Korean craft beer trade to taste and learn about the quality, value, and diversity of premium beer that the American craft beer industry has to offer. During the two days of exhibition, over 2,000 targeted trade audience attended the booth. Additionally, the activity provided a ‘Great American Craft Beer Seminar’, which presented a targeted marketing message and in-depth information to 60 targeted audience as well. Evaluation of the activity indicated that minimum five new-to-market American craft breweries would develop local import partners within the 12 months after the activity. In addition, the activity was expected to generate increased sales to the seven Korean importers who joined the exhibition.