Pet Food Trade Mission to SuperZoo 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada in August 2022

ATO Seoul organized a pet food trade mission in August 2022, bringing five buyers to SuperZoo 2022, the largest North American pet industry show held in Las Vegas in Nevada. The activity was designed to promote U.S. pet food products by helping Korean traders stay updated with latest market trends and build business relationship with U.S. companies supplying quality pet food products. The trade mission program consisted of the trade show, a networking event and field trips to relevant facilities including pet food retail stores. During the program, one Korean company was able to finalize details for a sole distribution agreement with a U.S company exhibiting on the show floor. Having generated about 140 business contacts between U.S. and Korean companies, the mission members predict to achieve business contracts worth 3.5 million USD within the next 12 months. This program also enabled ATO Seoul and PFI (Pet Food Institute) to strengthen partnership and discuss in person on potential collaboration opportunities.

Korean Food Ingredients Buyesr Delegation to IFT Food Expo, Chicago, IL, July 10-13, 2022

ATO Seoul organized a delegation of Korean food ingredient buyers to the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Event and Food Expo, held in Chicago, Illinois. The delegation consisted of 17 buyers from 8 food processing ingredient import distribution companies. IFT Food Expo, hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), is one of industry’s largest trade show exhibiting the latest products and trends in the food
ingredient, food safety & quality, technology, equipment, processing, and packaging sector. Through the show, Korean buyers were able to improve their understanding on US brands, food trends, products, and network with industry stakeholders. In addition, ATO arranged field trips to retail markets and food processors. As a result of this reverse trade mission, the participants successfully conducted over 159 business meetings with U.S. exhibitors. According to the survey conducted after the mission, six companies signed contracts to import $5.1 million U.S. products. Also, the six companies estimate additional sales of $10.1 million within the next 12 months.

Korean High-Value Processed Food Buyers Delegation to Fancy Food Show Summer, June 12-14, 2022, Javits Center, New York City

ATO Seoul led a group of 11 buyers from 8 Korean retailers and food import distribution companies to the Fancy Food Show Summer 2022 held in Javits Center, New York City. The delegation conducted 202 business meetings with American suppliers on the show floor, resulting in $230,000 of on-site sales and $10.3 million of potential 12-month sales for the American suppliers. The delegation also visited numerous retail outlets in and around New York City during the trip and developed hands-on knowledge and experience about on-going product trends in the American food market. ATO Seoul will continue to invest in helping Korean buyers identify new business opportunities with American suppliers.