Overseas buyers sample Korean food in Seoul

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In a bid to add to the government’s effort of globalizing Korean food items using its overseas networks, the Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation invited large-scale overseas buyers to Seoul to introduce them to an array of products on Wednesday.

The state-run corporation held a two-day event called “Buy Korean Food 2010,” which was attended by about 130 foreign buyers from 21 different countries, at the aT Center in southern Seoul. It has set its goal at recording $6.4 billion in exports of local food this year.

Items ranging from ginseng juice, to snacks, ramen and ice cream as well as fish products, dried laver and the ever-popular kimchi were displayed at the annual event, which was organized for the second time.

 
Overseas buyers look at local food products such as kimchi and traditional Korean wine at an event organized by the Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation on Wednesday. Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation

Foreign buyers included big companies such as Aeon Global Merchandising Co., CGC Japan Co. and Ryoshoku Limited from Japan, Dah Chong Hong Ltd. from Hong Kong and NTUC Fair Price from Singapore.

H-Mart from the U.S. and RT-Mart International Ltd. from China were also included on the list.

Eighteen local firms which participated in the fair were: Binggrae, CJ Jeiljedang, Daesang Corporation, Daesang FNF Corp., Dongwon, Ilhwa Co., Korea Yakult Co., Maeil Dairies, Nong Shim, OKF Corp., Ottogi, Pulmuone, Sajo CS Co., Sajohaepyo, Samjin Globalnet, Sempio Foods Company and Woongjin Foods Co.

“We have high hopes that this will serve as the turning point for expanding the amount of exports for our food industry,” said Kim Jin-young, director-general of the export strategy department at the corporation, adding that it will work further to reach its goal of $10 million in exports of local food by 2012.