The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation participated in the 2024 Alimentaria held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 18 to 21. Their collaborative efforts resulted in successful export consulting outcomes, generating a total value of USD15.7 million. Alimentaria, Southern Europe's largest food fair, has been a biennial event since its inception in 1976. Recognized as one of the industry's foremost gatherings, it attracts over 3,200 companies from 68 countries globally. The latest edition attracted more than 900 companies, with notable participants from Italy and Asian countries such as Thailand, China, and Korea. After a six-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Alimentaria resumed in 2018. The Korea Pavilion showcased a diverse array of promising export products, ranging from fresh foods such as kimchi, mushrooms, and red ginseng to beverages. Additionally, presentations from 10 exemplary K-food exporters added appeal to the pavilion's offerings. The Korean Pavilion also hosted a tasting event where visitors could sample authentic Korean cuisine. Unique menus such as "Cabbage Kimchi Tapas" and "Vegetable Sticks with Korean Fermented Sauce" were featured, combining K-foods such as kimchi and sauces with local delicacies. Visitors and buyers responded enthusiastically to this initiative. A visitor to the Korean Pavilion from the Spanish distribution industry was highly complimentary, saying, "This is the first time I have tasted white kimchi and radish served with local food, and the taste is truly amazing, perfectly complementing the tastes of the local Spanish people.”

We're pleased to introduce a new section titled "Your K-Food Partner, aT" where we will feature various export support programs run by aT, starting with the March 2024 issue. This new section will provide you with updates on our export support programs, K-Food trade shows, exhibitions and much more. We look forward to your interest and participation. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation participated in Gulfood 2024, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from February 19 to 23. We are proud to announce that we achieved a significant export performance of USD 65.5 million during the event. In cooperation with local governments such as Jinju, Hadong, and Hongseong, aT established the "Integrated Korea Pavilion," which showcased products from 26 prominent K-Food exporters. The exhibits included a wide range of products, including healthy foods such as red ginseng and ginseng, and popular items such as frozen kimbap and cup tteokbokki. Started in 1987, the annual Gulfood International Food Exhibition is the largest food exhibition in the Middle East and Africa region. It is recognized as the premier event for food companies seeking to expand their presence in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. This internationally acclaimed exhibition serves as a platform that unites businesses in the food industry, food service, tourism, restaurants, cafes and related sectors. With participation from over 130 countries and 5,000 companies, Gulfood is a prominent international exhibition of unparalleled importance. During the exhibition, participants sampled various Korean dishes through K-food cooking shows and on-site tasting events. In addition, a "pre-online consultation" was held a week before the exhibition to facilitate discussions between exporters and buyers. These initiatives culminated in successful on-site consultations, resulting in export consultation results totaling USD65.5 million. A representative from a distributor in the UAE who attended the consultations said, "I was intrigued by K-food that is often featured in movies and dramas, which prompted me to visit the Korean Pavilion. In markets such as the UAE and the Middle East at large, local consumers' interest is growing not only in popular K-food items such as tteokbokki, ramen, and kimbap but also in easy-to-take health supplements."