Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) hosted the 2024 New York K-Food Fair in New York City, USA, from May 29 to June 1. This event marked a significant milestone in K-food exports, underscoring the rapid popularity of Korean agricultural products and cuisine in the U.S. market.
Last year, Korean food exports to the U.S. reached a record-breaking USD 1.314 billion, surpassing both Japan and China. The U.S.'s most popular Korean food products include ramyeon, snacks, beverages, kimchi, and traditional fermented sauces. The widespread influence of the Korean Wave contributes to the increasing demand for various Korean delicacies.

At the event, we conducted B2B export consultations and B2C market testing to gauge the response to consumer preferences and demand. The positive feedback from buyers on products like Yuja sticks, pumpkin injeolmi (bean-powder-coated rice cake), and shrimp ramyeon garnered positive feedback from buyers, with 423 export consultations resulting in a total performance of USD 56 million, is a clear indication of the growing acceptance and demand for Korean food products. Furthermore, an in-person tasting event showcased popular Korean foods such as “Buldak Ramyeon,” “Turtle Chips,” and “Milkis,” further reinforcing Korean food exports' ongoing success and growth potential in the U.S. market.

Various interactive events, such as the Food Tech Zone, K-Food Cooking Show, and Roblox K-Food Simulator Challenge, were also held during the same period and received great response from the Millennial and Gen Z generation in the U.S.