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Korean Importer Support > Highlights

Highlights

2011 Organic Natural Exhibition, Seoul, Korea

ATO Seoul participated in the 2011 Organic and Natural Exhibition in Seoul, Korea on July 15-17 where it teamed up with three major Korean importers and distributors of U.S. organic product and a local manufacturer of energy bars that uses U.S. ingredients. The U.S. pavilion attracted considerable attention from the show’s 35,000 visitors and exhibitors estimated sales resulting from the show at $450,000 over the next 12 months. Health and wellbeing is an important marketing theme in Korea and it was noteworthy how prominently the USDA Organic logo was displayed by venders of both food and cosmetics throughout exhibition hall. The logo has clearly become a trusted seal for Korean consumers.

The Korean organic food market continues to expand. In 2009, the market was estimated at $3.1 billion, up 17 percent from the previous year. Major Korean food manufactures are entering the market and the processed organic food sector is growing at an annual rate of about 25 percent. While Korean organic production is increasing, the growth of the processed product market is fueled by imports, primarily from the United States and Europe. To learn more about the Korean organic food market please read Organic Product Market Brief Update.

Mayor Arakawa of Maui County, Hawaii Visits Korea, July 6-13, 2011

Mayor Alan M. Arakawa (4th from left) led a delegation from Maui County to Korea, July 6-13 and visited ATO Seoul to explore export opportunities for Maui farmers. Implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Korea will bring about new opportunities for Hawaiian agriculture. The FTA eliminates tariffs and other barriers on most agricultural products, increasing export opportunities for a range of Hawaii agricultural products, including fruits, tree nuts, and coffee. Hawaii’s agricultural exports to all countries, estimated at $102 million in 2009, supported about 850 jobs, on and off the farm. These export sales make an important contribution to the Hawaii farm economy, which had total cash receipts of $581 million in 2009.

Washington State Wine Featured at 4th of July Reception at Ambassador’s Residence, Seoul, Korea

Korean importer Nara Cellar and ATO Seoul teamed up to provide an opportunity for Korean guests to the Independence Day reception to taste Washington State wine. Several quality wines were served, but the hot muggy weather helped make Domaine Ste. Michelle Cuvée Brut and Columbia Crest Two Vine Riesling crowd pleasers. About 800 guests took the opportunity to taste the wines presented. After a couple years of stagnate sales, Korean wine imports are up more than 18 percent in the first 5 months of 2010 and the United States is recapturing market share. This growth could be threatened by the EU-Korea FTA which went in to effect on July 1 and eliminates a 15 percent import duty on European wines. Until the Korean Assembly and U.S. Congress ratify the US Korea FTA, American wines will continue to face this 15 percent import duty.

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