Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo 2011, November 17-19, 2011

Pan-seared Chesapeake Bay scallops with sweet chili ponzu prepared by Louisiana chef Jean Pierre Daigle was enjoyed by appreciative crowds at the U.S. Pavilion at the Busan International Seafood Expo. ATO Seoul teamed up with the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) and U.S. seafood suppliers to exhibit U.S. blue crab, shrimp, flounder, eel Chesapeake Bay ray and many other products at the annual exhibition in Busan, Korea. The United States typically exports more than $100 million in seafood products to Korea annually, and this year’s sales are tracking about 35 percent ahead of last year’s pace. For more information on the Korean seafood market please see ATO Seoul’s Fishery Product Annual report.

Gwangju International Food Fair 2011 in Korea, October 27-30, 2011

ATO Seoul teamed up with four major Korean importers and distributors of U.S. processed products and participated in the Gwangju International Food Fair 2011 in Korea on October 27-30. U.S. organic products, including organic soy ice cream, and conventional frozen potato products were featured in the U.S. pavilion and attracted considerable attention from the show’s 35,000 visitors. The four U.S. exhibitors estimated sales results from the show at $330,000 over the next 12 months. The show was a consumer-oriented event with relatively few commercial buyers, but the exhibitors found the show useful to promote their U.S. products, gain feedback from consumers sampling and to promote organic and natural foods. One exhibitor had productive meetings for opening franchises in the Gwangju region. Health and wellbeing is an important marketing theme in Korea and it was noteworthy how prominently U.S. blueberry, noni and acai berry juices were displayed by venders throughout exhibition hall. U.S. products have clearly become a trusted label for Korean consumers.

ATO Seoul Hosts 8th Army Commissary Tour for Korean Importers, September 22, 2011

ATO Seoul hosted a tour of the 8th Army Commissary on Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, Korea that proved to be an effective new product showcase for 58 representatives from 35 companies from across the Korean food sector. Participants’ post tour surveys indicated interest in a wide range of products including, frozen vegetables, cheese, bakery mixes, dried fruits and packaged meals, and potential new sales of more than $21 million. Following the tour, participants enjoyed American T-bone steaks at a garrison restaurant.