Seoul Food & Hotel 2021
The Seoul Food & Hotel, the largest international food and hospitality trade show in South Korea, will be held from 27 to 30 July this year in KINTEX, Goyang. The event will take place back to back with the Import Goods Fair organized by Korea Importers Association (KOIMA).
NL Lounge at the SEOUL FOOD & HOTEL
Organized by KOTRA, the SEOUL FOOD (formerly known as the Seoul Food), is reputed as the most professional and high quality B2B F&B exhibition in Korea and the No.1 exhibition where professionals from all over the world visit. The food show was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has the green light this year to take place. Bringing together 1,559 qualified exhibitors and 50,335 visitors from 40 countries, the SEOUL FOOD has maintained a steady growth and has become the fourth largest food industry exhibition in Asia.
The Export Partners (also known as NEC) will be representing the Dutch companies at the NL Lounge, commissioned by LAN at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Seoul. With current change in social distancing levels and measures in Korea, offering food and drink taste inside the exhibition hall is restricted. However in the spirit of food promotion, LAN Seoul has in cooperation with Export Partners prepared a package of sample goods from participating companies for buyers.
Import Goods Fair by Korea Importers Association (KOIMA)
Participating at the Seoul Food & Hotel has become more interesting than ever thanks to the cooperation with South Korean Importers Association (KOIMA). KOIMA is dedicated to facilitating imports into Korea to develop the Korean industry for the last 46 years, and will be organizing its Import Good Fair prior to the Seoul Food & Hotel. The Dutch companies will be represented at this expo as KOIMA has about 800 top importer members, making this expo a very attractive opportunity for Dutch companies to be exposed to these members.
Why choose the Korean Market?
Food import to Korea is increasing by 6% on an annual basis. As of 2019, the total amount of imported food reached a value of 32.8 trillion KRW ($28.1 billion) and 1,860 tons. South Korean market has favorable condition for global food companies to enter, including a solid stable economy, an expanding free trade agreement with the EU for the last 10 years, and a high dependence on food imports as local agriculture and food production finds it hard to keep up with the increasing consumer demand. Dutch products have a good chance in Korea due to constant consumer need for new and trending products as well as healthy and safe food. The high income consumer is able and willing to pay for high quality products. This is reflected in the numbers of Dutch beer imported into Korea, which has reached its biggest volume. The dairy sector, including powder milk and cheese is also on the rise.
Moreover recently the Korean government has stepped up its efforts for carbon neutrality, and more and more companies have begun to join the ESG management, creating a favorable environment for Dutch innovative food companies with sustainable agriculture & food systems, as well as high value products. Last but not least, the booming sales of Korea’s online food and beverage products is beneficial for Dutch businesses who wish to enter or expand their markets in South Korea. The LAN team at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Seoul facilitates the interested companies all year round to enter the market and connects them to a network of local importers.