Florida Grapefruit Shine Bright in Hyundai Department Store

Florida grapefruit were on bright display at up-scale Hyundai Department store in western Seoul, April 24. Mr. Michael Ryshouwer, Marketing Representative for Florida Department of Agriculture visited Seoul to promote Florida grapefruit as part of a healthy diet. Korea’s health and beauty conscious population is attracted to low calorie, high vitamin C, Florida grapefruit for its purported health benefits, including cold prevention and ability to combat fatigue. Korean imports of grapefruit from the United States were valued at $10.5 million, in 2011, up 23 percent from 2010 and the United States enjoyed a 92 percent market share. For more information on the Korean market for grapefruit and other products please see FTA Product Briefs.

Nebraska Ag Department Visits Korea to Highlight FTA Opportunities

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach led a delegation of industry leaders on a visit to Korea to highlight new export opportunities for Nebraskan beef, pork and wheat resulting from implementation of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. As the first stop on their visit, FAS/Seoul along with locally-based cooperators briefed the delegation on the current market situation. The Nebraska team also attended a blogger event at the trendy restaurant Eatry. Organized by USMEF, the cooking event demonstrated three fine dining beef dishes; braised short rib, beef Carpaccio, and dry-aged New York steak. During the demonstration, the chef explained why he prefers to use U.S. beef as well as the superiority of U.S. beef. The team also met with local meat and grain industry representatives, and toured meat processing facilities.

Korean Seafood Trade Mission to Boston Seafood Show & Washington State Leads to $12.5 million in Potential Export Sales

ATO Seoul recruited mission members and coordinated the visit of eight Korean seafood importers to the International Boston Seafood Show, March 11-13, 2012. In addition to the show visit, 1-on-1 business meetings and site visits in Seattle arranged by Washington State Department of Agriculture’s International Trade Program staff allowed the importers to meet suppliers of various American seafood products and to gain a better understanding of the U.S. seafood sector. According to the mission participants surveyed right after the activity, the trade mission resulted in $12.5 million of potential purchases from U.S. seafood suppliers over the next 12 months. In calendar year 2011, Korea imported $142 million of U.S. seafood, up 26 percent from $112 million in 2010.