World’s 1st organic expo to be held in Goesan

Published : Sept 2, 2015 - 22:57 Updated : Sept 2, 2015 - 23:06

About 600 businesspeople and 5,000 organic lifestyle experts will gather in Goesan, North Chungcheong Province, for the ISOFAR 2015 Goesan International Organic Expo and Industry Fair from Sept. 18 through Oct. 11.

Under the theme of “Organic Life, Science Meets the Public,” the world’s first expo on organic lifestyle is expected to raise public awareness toward environmentally-friendly and organic way of living.

Organic farming refers to a technique replacing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers with green manure, compost, biological pest control, crop rotation and others.

According to the committee, the global organic food market is sized at 93 trillion won ($91 billion) as of 2015 and is estimated to grow by 20 percent every year. The Korean market is estimated at around 400 billion won.

Hur Kyeong-jae, secretary-general of the organizing committee of ISOFAR 2015 Goesan International Organic Expo and Industry Fair speaks to the press on Wednesday in downtown Seoul. (Prain)

“Environment pollution and global warming have brought people’s attention to healthier and safer lifestyle. We believe that going organic is the answer,” said Hur Kyeong-jae, secretary-general of the organizing committee, on Wednesday.

“The expo will go beyond agriculture, and deal with organic medical, aesthetic, architectural and household goods from various aspects,” he added.

A total of 264 business firms including domestic powerhouse Pulmuone, Chorokmaeul and others will participate in the exhibition and trade shows where 600 buyers are expected to hold one-on-one meetings and others.

Health and agricultural experts will hold a total of 18 symposiums to exchange knowledge while 33 outdoor and indoor events will attract citizens to learn and experience the history and future of the organic industry and lifestyle.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)