Dignitaries, including aT President Yeo In-hong and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Yung-rok, taste a food on display on a Korean food maker’s booth during the Korea Food Show 2017 at the aT Center in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, on Nov. 29.

aT President Yeo In-hong delivers a speech at an opening ceremony of the KFS 2017. (Photos: aT)

The Korea Food Show 2017 (KFS 2017) attracted about 190 food exhibitors and 111 foreign buyers from 20 countries. The exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and organized by Korea Agro-Fisheries Food Trade Corp. (aT), took place at the aT Center from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.

About 190 exhibitors, including Korean SME food makers and farming startups, participated in the event under the theme “With Tastes and Hope.”

aT President Yeo In-hong delivered a speech to launch the opening ceremony of the fair on Nov. 29, followed by an awards ceremony for those who made meritorious contributions to the development of the food and cuisine industries, and an opening performance. 

Yeo said, “The KFS has served as an opportunity to look at the current status and future of the Korea food industry simultaneously by displaying Korean and foreign prominent food makers, their food products, master craftsmen’s items, and traditional Korean foods.” 

He expressed hope the exhibition will set the stage for the direction of the development of the food and dining industries. 

Among those on hand at the opening ceremony were MAFRA Minister Kim Yung-rok, aT President Yeo; Chairman Sul Hoon of the National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans & Fisheries Committee; Chairman Lee Chang-hwan of the Korea Food Industry Association; President Park Yong-gon of the Korea Food Research Institute; and President Choi Jae-sung of Shinsegae Food.

President Lee Kang-hoon of Ottogi Corp., honored with the Order of Industrial Service, Silver Tower, was one of 13 award winners.  The fair consisted of five pavilions, including SME Food Maker, Food Corporate Leader, and Farming Startup. 

During the fair, 154 SME companies showcased items and introduced their histories at the SME Food Maker Pavilion. 

The Food Corporate Leader Pavilion, Farming Startup Pavilion, Food Startup Pavilion, and the pavilion for items enjoying popularity abroad attracted six, 11, 12, and seven companies, respectively. 

The Future Food Pavilion got a glimpse into the future advancement of the food industry, to be inspired by the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution. 

On the opening day, 111 foreign buyers from 20 countries held one-on-one business meeting with 187 Korean agriculture and food companies. Korean distribution companies and home shopping merchandisers held one-on-one meetings with Korean buyers on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Farming Startup and Food Startup pavilions were designed to provide support for job creation through startups drew a large group of startup hopefuls. 

The KFTS 2017 held events to share the latest Korean and foreign trends, and information related to the food industry. The 2018 Food and Restaurant Industry Outlook Convention attracted speakers who touched on the status of the Japanese food and restaurant industries amidst an aging population, the Korean food industry, the restaurant industry and food distribution sector. 

The Korean, Chinese and Japanese Food Additives forum that took place on Dec. 1 was designed to help Korean food additive makers explore foreign markets.