Korean firms eye Japanese food market

Korean food exporters plan to lure Japan, the world’s largest importer of Korean food, at the annual international food expo in Tokyo, the Agriculture Ministry said Monday.

A total of 56 Korean food exporters will set up booths at the Korean segment of the 40th Foodex Japan, in Makuhari Messe, from March 3-6. The event will host 2,977 exhibitors from 79 countries and is expected to draw some 80,000 trade professionals.

“In recent years, Japanese food suppliers have been relying more on imports than on exporting their products,” a ministry official said, stressing that it is a good opportunity for Korean food exporters.

At the event, the Korean SME food exporters will present a variety of specialties and agricultural products, including fruits and vegetables; herbs and spices; ingredients and soup stocks; meat and seafood; and traditional rice-brewed liqueur.

The Korean food authorities will set up separate promotional tents to present Korea’s signature cultural contents, kimchi and seafood.

“The weakening yen has affected Korean exports to Japan, but targeting the health and beauty trend in Japan will add to the competitiveness of Korean food industry,” the official said.

Foodex Japan is one of the world’s top three food expos, along with the General Food and Drink Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany, and the IFT15 Food Expo in Chicago, the U.S., according to trade professionals.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)