France rakes in approximately $10.4 billion annually from food exports and Norway brings in $10.4 billion for its tuna exports per year. Korea, however, lacks such mainstay food exports that could dominate the global market. 

In an effort to overcome the stark reality of the Korean food export industry, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT) is devoting itself to realizing an ambitious target of posting $6.8 billion in agricultural food exports this year. 

In particular, aT has inaugurated the so-called teams for exploring overseas markets for each export item, a kind of “experts’ consultative body” designed to deal with grievances and stumbling blocks according to exporting stages ranging from production to marketing.

An agricultural food export consultation center, inaugurated on the first floor of the aT headquarters in southeastern Seoul this past March, also functions as a regular consultative body to boost exports. 

aT is stepping on the gas to build a solid foundation for exploring up-and-coming export blockbusters that will raise the nation’s agricultural export target to $10 billion in the future, including products tailored to meet the needs of clients in China, Southeast Asia, and other countries. 

The corporation held a symposium in Shanghai this past April to explore ideas for the development of promising products by making the most of Chinese food experts and buyers.

aT is also accelerating its efforts to upgrade the standing of the Korean agricultural food export industry with a view toward coping with changes in the trade environment. 

The corporation is also doing its utmost to strengthen marketing activities in inland Chinese regions and logistics infrastructure to make preparations for the possible effectuation of a Free Trade Agreement between Korea and China. To this end, aT plans to open an agricultural food export center in Chengdu, China, by October.    

aT to Participate in 2014 Jakarta Fair

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and aT will participate in the 2014 Jakarta Fair to strengthen its presence in Indonesia, one of the biggest markets for Halal-certified foods.

The fair, to be held from June 6 through July 6, is expected to attract some 2,600 exhibitors, including electronics, fashion, machinery, and food companies as well as approximately 4.8 million cumulative spectators during the exhibition. The exhibition is seen as an optimum opportunity to pitch the diversity and excellence of Korean foods to Indonesian consumers. 

The Korean Halal Certification Food Publication Pavilion, the Korean Food Sales Pavilion, and the Korean Food Publication Pavilion will cover 150 sq. meters in size. The Korean exhibitors will set up corners where spectators can taste and buy Korean ramyeon (instant noodles), ginseng foods, beverages, and confectioneries. During the exhibition period, a large-sized bibimbap (cooked rice mixed with vegetables)-making event, and tteobokki and kimchi sampling events will take place along with performances of traditional Korean percussion troupes and an event to allow people to get their pictures taken in traditional Korean costumes.  

Some 30 Korean foods with Halal certifications will be displayed to make inroads into the Indonesian Halal food market. 

aT holds a Korean food production event with large-sized retailers in Indonesia, including HERO, Hypermarket, Lotte Mart, and Ranck Market every year to explore the Indonesian middle-class market, which is on the rise. Korea seeks to gain equivalency certification for Korean foods certified with the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) from the Indonesian Halal certification organization (MUI). The nation is also stepping on the gas to publicize Korean foods with the KMF certificates in the Indonesian market. 

Park Jong-suh, a director in charge of exports at aT, said, “This fair will serve as a festive event for Indonesian consumers to see, taste, and sample Korean foods and Korean food culture firsthand with a focus on expanding the consumption of Korean foods in Indonesia.”