2019 Russia Moscow PROD EXPO is the Russia's largest Food EXPO specialized in trading with 26 years of hosting history. It has received a great popularity from the worldwide export companies and import buyers for agricultural food. Moreover, the EXPO is an exhibition event that is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Russian Federation and the Moscow government, which shows high satisfaction as much as more than 80% participating companies reenter the EXPO again.

#Identified The Trend of World Distributors for Agricultural Foods

For the last 2018 event, 65 countries and 2,389 companies throughout the world participated and visitors reached up to 62,000 during the EXPO period. First of all, as it is possible to identify the trend of food distributing chains through the information exchange with agricultural food companies of diverse countries, it is a current trend of annual increase in participating companies.

The branch president in Vladivostok Shin Jae-hun of aT who composed the Korea Pavilion for the present event said, “60% of the distribution of agricultural foods in Russia has been occupied by small grocery stores and traditional markets, which resulted in the late development of distribution." He revealed, “Recently, it shows that supermarkets and giant distributors have been expanded. It is possible to identify the trend of food businesses in Russia through the participation in the present EXPO.

Agricultural companies in Korea have been participating in the EXPO since 2018. Those participating companies pointed out such merits that not only participating companies could strengthen their relationship with existing customers but also they could obtain the opportunity of market advancement through targeting niche market. Korean companies who participated in this year's EXPO are 17 companies and 20 booths with main streams of tea, ginseng, snacks, fruits, and heath foods.

The representative of Saekwang F&B Lee JaeKeun who participated in the present EXPO said, “This year I participated in the present EXPO for the first time. It is beneficial to build a long term partnership with import buyers because of its long history of event”; and evaluated the EXPO by saying, “The EXPO is proper for the opportunity of meeting with influential buyers for the simultaneous business networking.”

#Agricultural Foods of Korea, Popular by Import Buyers

Among those products produced by business companies who participated in 2019 Moscow PROD EXPO, traditional popular items of Ramen, seasoned laver, apple chips, Tteok bokki, and citrus tea have maintained its popularity to local residents and a consultation with import buyers has been proceeded continuously. Besides, while drinks and foods such as beer, mayonnaise, canned foods, and soda have been recognized as a luxurious image, many buyers have continued inquiring of their importation.

Isaiah, the C.E.O of a distributor in Moscow's agricultural foods, visited the Korea Pavilion and said, “Agricultural foods of Korea are classified as more luxurious and excellent than those of China and Japan and their prices are comparatively higher"; and revealed, “Followed by Korean laver and Ramen which consumption has been increasing recently in Moscow, people visit the EXPO to evaluate types and tastes of Korean-made canned foods and drinks, and they confirmed the excellent taste higher than their expectation and planned to review their importation actively."

#Mini Interview/People met at aT Korea Pavilion

A Russian buyer Mr. Timir: I have been operating a retail store in Russia. I have imported many Ramens among agricultural foods in Korea. They are highly popular to consumers. Their design and quality are more excellent than those of Japan or China, and their sales prices are also 1.5 times higher than Japan and China. I plan to import and sell Korean-made liquid syrup followed by Ramen. Recently, Hallyu has been achieving its popularity in Moscow and an interest by consumers has been increasing on Korea. The consumption of Korean foods like fried rice and Tteok bokki has also been increasing. It means many consumers have begun to consider Korea and Korean agricultural foods positively. Although Korean-made agricultural foods are expensive, their quality, taste and design are excellent so that I plan to expand sales targeting consumers of middle class and higher who have a buying power. Also, I plan to expand the handling of Korean-made agricultural foods such as coffee and cookies besides Ramen.

Export Company in Korea, the C.E.O of Sekwang Lee JaeKeun: Currently I have been producing citrus tea and promoting the exportation of jam made of citrus to Russian markets. Through citrus teas, we are receiving the recognition from Russian markets of its nutritional aspect and taste, and its quality. We are thinking now to pioneer consumption market for local residents to take their main dish of breads or snacks along with citrus jam.

Now, the popularity of Korea's agricultural foods has been expanded in Russian markets from Vladivostok to Moscow. Taking into a long term consideration of a possibility of market growth in Russia, we should strictly manage the markets from now on. Especially, as Korean-made citrus tea has excellent nutrition and deep taste, it has been recognized as the best product in Russian markets and it is an item exported more than 60% of its production.

By the active support of aT, we have participated in 2019 Russia Moscow International Foods EXPO and begun to have a confidence with the procurement of various consumers' market information and its exportation. I think if we thoroughly target Russian market for the next three years, we will be able to export 1 million dollars within 3 to 5 years.