The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, along with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced on June 9 that the '2026 Seoul International Food Industry Exhibition (Seoul Food 2026)' will take place until June 12.
Now in its 44th year, Seoul Food 2026 is recognized as the largest food exhibition in South Korea and one of the top four food fairs in Asia. This year, it will feature a record 1,800 food companies from 49 countries, including 288 foreign firms. The anticipated scale of export consultations is expected to reach $650 million, a 160% increase from the previous year.
The government is focusing on consumer goods as a new growth engine alongside traditional manufacturing exports, such as semiconductors. Amid increasing global trade uncertainties due to rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring, consumer goods exports, particularly those driven by the Korean Wave, are expected to be less affected. This sector also offers opportunities for market diversification with minimal geopolitical risks.
In fact, agricultural and fishery product exports reached $1.07 billion last month, marking a 4.7% increase compared to the same period last year. While exports of popular items like coffee, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages declined, there was a notable rise in the export of processed agricultural products such as noodles and bread.
To sustain this growth in consumer goods exports, the Seoul Food 2026 event will feature a variety of programs. The '10th Global Food Trends & Tech Conference' will discuss future food directions.
Additionally, the '10th Seoul Food Awards' will recognize 20 outstanding companies producing alternative meats, popular foods, and food tech products, which have seen a surge in demand. A 'LOVE FOOD' donation campaign will also be held to support vulnerable communities.
Notably, the United States will participate as the guest country at Seoul Food 2026, the only overseas food exhibition it will attend this year. The U.S. pavilion, featuring 82 booths, will showcase a wide range of products, from meats and trendy snacks to eco-friendly specialty ingredients.
Continuing from last year, the 'K-Food Buyer Export Consultation Meeting' will be held to help small and medium-sized food companies diversify their export markets. Buyers from ten strategic countries, including Qatar, Chile, and Laos, will be invited to explore key products such as kimchi, sauces, and traditional liquors, facilitating new business agreements and contracts.
Kang Gam-chan, head of the Trade and Investment Bureau at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "The global interest in K-culture presents a golden opportunity for consumer goods exports like K-food. The government will provide close support to ensure that consumer goods become a new driving force leading us into the $1 trillion export era."
Jeong Kyung-seok, director of food industry policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, emphasized, "Even amid crises like the Middle East conflict, we will create new opportunities by expanding the global K-food market, including the halal market, and actively support the diversification of strategic products by region."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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