Exports of domestic beverages have exceeded $200 million last year for the first time, showing the rising popularity of Korean drink products overseas.

Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT) Presodemt Kim Jae-soo said the 2012 export figures are 22.6 percent above the preceding year at $226 million.

The credit goes to the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries and aT for tailored-made marketing campaign for each importing nation including the United States, Japan, China, and Russia, among others, to expand exports. The company projects this year’s exports are likely to increase from 10 to 20 percent through the expansion of the number of importing countries such as Cambodia.

Officials at aT said the export of aloe drinks to the United States has been expanding fast this year, the export of honcho and corn drinks to Japan are rising rapidly, China’s imports of banana milk has also been quickly expanding, while Russia has been importing milkis drinks in increasing numbers, they said. 

With the slogan of “$10 billion export of agricultural products by 2012,” aT has established a foundation for the continuous increase of exports. The company will make an effort to satisfy overseas customer’s expectation on Korean agricultural products. Innovative improvement is required for the complicated distribution stages and recurring distribution cost structure. aT will enhance distribution efficiency by strengthening direct transactions of agricultural products and increasing scales of and the systematizing of farming households.

aT has established a foundation for the development of the Korean food industry through support for food companies, systematization of food industry information, nurturing of professional workforce, and more since 2009.

The world grain market experienced a decrease in supply caused by climate change and an increase in demand caused by the development of bio-alternative energy. aT will do everything possible for stable grain supply to secure domestic staple foods. The company will continue to do its best to grow as a public organization loved and trusted by all stakeholders and to create values for the nation and people.

Locations: Japan (Tokyo, Osaka), Netherlands (Rotterdam), U.S.A. (New York, L.A.), Singapore, China (Beijing, Shanghai), and Hong Kong 

Roles: Collection of agricultural & fishery trade information, promotion of sales, and public relations development in overseas markets 

Methods: Participating in major international exhibitions, improving packaging design, operating Korean traditional food exhibitions and temporary overseas exhibitions, advertising in popular foreign food magazines, and installing export public relations towers in important partner trading countries 

Effects: Developing overseas markets and improving the image of Korean agricultural & fishery products 

Development of Marketable Items: 

Method: Testing Korean foods in overseas markets and modifying their taste and quality to meet consumer preferences 

Items: Competitive export products such as fruits (apples, pears), vegetables (eggplants, cucumbers), flowers (lilies, roses), and processed foods (kimchi, ginseng-chicken soup) 

Location: Yangjae-dong (Seoul) 

Function: Promotion of foreign trade in the agro-fishery industry 

Major Facilities: Exhibition halls, conference rooms, agro-trade information center, agro-trade office building, export publicity pavilion 

Phone: +82-2-6300-1900, 1912