Trade Mission to the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA) in Chicago in May 2024

ATO Seoul organized a group of six buyers in the foodservice and business-to-business food sectors to attend the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago in May 2024. The program included meetings with U.S. companies and a one-day field trip to local distribution channels, grocery stores, and restaurant facilities. The mission members met with U.S. companies from different states at the special pavilion 'A Taste of States,' organized by NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture). According to the outcome survey, the members had meetings with 68 U.S. companies, reporting a total of $700,000 in on-site sales and expecting an additional $130,000 in sales within 12 months.

Korean Seafood Trade Mission to Seafood Expo Global 2024 Leads to $11.8 million in Export Sales

ATO Seoul brought five Korean seafood importers to the Seafood Expo Global (SEG) held in Barcelona, Spain, April 23-25, 2024. This trade mission introduced the Korean importers to American seafood products and suppliers at SEG. The trade mission resulted in several contracts for U.S. seafood signed on the spot ($4.8 million) as well as an estimated $7 million in potential purchases from U.S. seafood suppliers over the next 12 months. According to BICO data, the U.S.A. exported $479 million of seafood to Korea in 2023 and Korea is the United States fourth largest seafood export market.

Great American Craft Beer Showcase at KIBEX 2024 (April 11-13, 2024)

ATO Seoul in a partnership with the Brewers Association (BA) organized the 'Great American Craft Beer Showcase' at the Korea International Beer Expo (KIBEX) on April 11-13, 2024. A total of 40 breweries participated in the activity, 10 of which were new to market, showcasing the quality, value, and diversity that the U.S. craft beer industry has to offer. Eight Korean import distribution partners joined the project and exhibited for the 30 breweries that they represent. According to the outcome survey, five import distributors who participated at the Showcase reported a total of $10,300 on-site sales and one forecasted $10,000 of sales growth within 12 months. The DCM attended the event, touring the U.S. Pavilion and hearing from the U.S. exhibitors the challenges and opportunities in the Korean market.