We have just signed an export contract for several hundred million won worth of fresh fruit carbonated beverages with an Iraqi distributor. This is the 25th year we are participating in the Seoul Food event, and the promotional effect for new products is significant, greatly helping exporting corporations.
On the 10th, the '2025 Seoul International Food Industry Fair (hereinafter Seoul Food 2025)' is being held at the KINTEX Exhibition Center in Goyang. Han Pyeong-sik, CEO of Geumgang B&F, introduced a carbonated beverage that evokes fresh fruits like lemon and pineapple when opening the can. While Han was explaining the fresh fruit patent technology, a buyer from Taiwan was waiting to meet him.
Seoul Food 2025, hosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), is the largest food exhibition in Korea and the fourth largest in Asia. Running until the 13th, this exhibition has recorded the largest number of participating corporations ever, with 1,639 companies from 45 countries across the globe. There are 3,033 booths created. The event is organized primarily for business-to-business (B2B) transactions rather than general consumer sales.
At the packed booths, domestic and international food corporations were eagerly promoting their products. A Chinese seller wishing to export frozen fruits, snacks, and sauces to Korea recommended tastings in fluent Korean. An Australian meat processing company, without a separate interpreter, displayed a sign on a tablet that read, 'We are looking for import agents.'
A meat processing company from the U.S. set up an open kitchen booth where they prepared and distributed dishes made with beef, such as Philly cheesesteak and meat lover's pizza, to visitors. Tyler Rasch, a broadcaster from the U.S., attracted attention by showcasing his homemade Korean snack brand. There were also food corporations from China, Thailand, Brazil, Australia, Peru, and Canada.
KOTRA also arranged separate sessions for export consultations between corporations and buyers. Yang Jun-yeol, CEO of Fresh Bell, who participated in the event for the first time, said, 'Buyers from China, Taiwan, and Guatemala showed positive interest in our products and discussed specific contract details.' Fresh Bell produces beverages and snacks specifically for infants and supplies them to large supermarkets.
Domestic buyers also noted that Seoul Food is an event they never miss. Shin Won-jung, CEO of Samhwa International Trade, which exports domestic food to Taiwan, the U.S., and Japan, said, 'I visit Seoul Food every year to find products that can be sold overseas. The products I found this way, such as tteokbokki and konjac jelly, are really popular abroad.'
The second exhibition hall hosted a fair related to cooking automation. Compared to the first hall, the crowd was sparse, but the booths of companies seeking to showcase their machines were fully occupied. Automatic packaging, sterilization vacuum, and automatic baking and cooking devices occupied each space. It is said that mainly domestic food companies receive purchasing consultations there.
A KOTRA official stated, 'We will support domestic corporations in various ways so they can expand their domestic and international markets. We will strive to make Seoul Food not only one of the four major food exhibitions in Asia but also the top global food exhibition.'