Korean Trade Mission visits Fancy Food Show, January 15-17, 2012, San Francisco, California

ATO Seoul recruited mission members and coordinated the visit of six high-value processed food importers from Korea to the Fancy Food Show Winter 2012, in San Francisco, California . In addition to the show visit, 1-on-1 business meetings and site visits arranged by the California Center for International Trade Development allowed the Korean importers to meet suppliers of various processed products and gain a broader understanding of the U.S. market for specialty foods. Post-activity survey indicated the trade mission resulted in $120,000 on-site sales in addition to $1,190,000 in potential purchases expected over the next 12 months. In calendar year 2011, Korea was the 5th largest market for U.S. agriculture, fish and forestry products and imports from the United States reached a record $7.5 billion.

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.