A Visit to Nongshim-Kellogg facilities and Nongshim Instant Noodle factory in Ansung, Korea, March 18, 2011

On March 18, USDA Seoul and local cooperator representatives visited Nongshim-Kellogg facilities located in Ansung, Gyunggi-do, about 45 miles outside of Seoul. The cereal manufacturer uses a variety of U.S. ingredients, including wheat, rice and almonds. For example, 600 MT of U.S. almonds are used each year in a range of cereals. Nongshim-Kellogg also uses 960 metric tons of U.S. rice each year in its Special K and Coco Puff cereals, two of the company’s leading brands in Korea.

The group also toured the Nongshim instant noodle factory, which uses 6,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat each year. Nongshim is one of the world’s top ramen manufacturers and exports its noodles to more than 70 countries around the world and has factories in the United States, Japan and China. One of its most popular brands is “Shin Ramen,” which means spicy hot noodles.

A Visit to Local Mushroom Farm in Korea, March 8, 2011

ATO Seoul visited Songi Nara mushroom farm outside Seoul. Mr. Yoon Jae Hun (third from right) led the group on a tour of his father’s farm. Mr. Kenny Choi (second from left) imports and supplies spawns to Korean farms. The United States is the second largest supplier of mushroom spawn to Korea, after China. In 2010, the United States shipped about $124,000 in white button mushroom spawn. Songi Nara produces about 144 tons of white button mushrooms per year. Nation-wide, Korea produces about 20,000 metric tons of white button mushrooms from about 900 farms. Farms are typically small, and average about 0.4 acres. Korean farms’ mushroom yields are well below those of the United States. Technical outreach by U.S. suppliers to Korean farmers could be an effective way to increase the U.S. share of this market valued at more than $2 million.

FTA EXPO 2011 held in Seoul, Korea, March 2-4, 2011

ATO Seoul along with several USDA cooperators, the American Embassy and American Chamber of Commerce participated in FTA EXPO 2011 hosted by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and Korean International Trade Association. Food Export USA, U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the California Walnut Commission took advantage of free space secured by ATO Seoul and provided by the show organizer to spotlight their products to Korean consumers.

The purpose of the Expo was to enhance corporate and public understanding of free trade agreements, to build national consensus on FTAs and to expand trade, investment and cultural exchange between Korea and current and potential FTA partners. In addition to the United States, the EU, Chile, Peru, ASEAN and EFTA participated in the event.