California Walnut Product of the Year Award

California Walnut Commission, CEO, Dennis Balint and Senior Marketing Director, Michelle McNeil, visited Seoul to present Product of the Year Awards to five Korean companies for their innovated support of California walnuts in the Korean market. Winners included: Baskin Robins Ice Cream – ‘Nut Cracker Puppet’ ice cream; CJ Foodville, Bakery Tous Les Jour – ‘Calory Box’; Orion – ‘Hodduck Cookie’; Café Benne – ‘Green Tea Tower Bingsoo’ and SPC, Samlip Foods – ‘Shilla’s Moonlight’ walnut cookie.

Korea has rapidly grown to became the third largest market for California walnuts, importing 10,000 metric tons valued at $100 million. Also of note, in 2012, Korea imported 20 million pounds of shelled walnuts from the United States, surpassing Japan, and making it the #1 shelled market in the world. For more information on the Korean market and export opportunities under KORUS FTA please see KORUS FTA.

‘Better for You’Trade Mission Visits Korea, December 6-7, 2012

Nine U.S. food companies participated in the Food Export USA Midwest Better-For-You Foods Trade Mission and drew considerable attention from Korean importers and distributors. New to market organic food products, natural snacks, ice cream, berries and nuts were introduced to more than 150 Korean buyers attending one-on-one business meetings and welcome reception. A seminar highlighting the market and nutritional benefit of American wild blueberries was presented by Wild Blueberry Association of North America. Through post Mission surveys, participating companies reported on site sales totaling $100,000 and expected sales of $5.97 million over the next 12 months. Calling the Mission a huge success, companies also reported that this activity helped develop contacts with 147~152 importers and retailers and more than 9~13 new distributorships.

Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo 2012, November 15-17, 2012

Pan-seared Chesapeake Bay ray wings in bean paste sauce and scallops prepared by Virginia chef John Maxwell was enjoyed by appreciative crowds including Mr. Huh, Nam Shik, Mayor of Busan City at the U.S. Pavilion at the Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo. ATO Seoul teamed up with the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) and U.S. seafood suppliers to exhibit U.S. croaker, blue crab, lobster, snapper, mackerel, scallop, eel, Chesapeake Bay ray and more at the 10th annual exhibition held in Busan, Korea. The United States exports more than $110 million in seafood products to Korea annually, and this year’s sales are tracking about 21 percent ahead of last year’s pace. For more information on the Korean seafood market please read ATO Seoul Seafood Products Annual Report April 2012