Food Week Korea 2026 has officially opened at COEX in Seoul, featuring participation from over 1,000 domestic food companies and buyers from 46 countries.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on November 4 that the event will run until November 7, marking the largest scale in its history.
This year's event has shifted focus from consumer-oriented (B2C) to global business, enhancing support for domestic food companies in expanding their overseas markets through export consultations and collaboration with global distributors.
More than 250 overseas buyers from 46 countries are attending, including major international retailers such as Spain's Mercadona and Japan's Kobe Bussan.
These buyers will engage in individual business consultations with over 500 domestic food companies. During the event, a K-Food buyer invitation export consultation (BKF+) will be held to support promising domestic food companies in entering international markets. A tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) will also be pursued to expand exports of fresh produce like strawberries.
The exhibition hall features a live showcase themed around K-Jumak, as well as promotional areas for halal and vegan certified products and organic processed foods, showcasing a variety of K-Food products.
Food tech, considered a growth driver for the future food industry, will also be highlighted. Innovations such as smart factories integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies, logistics and distribution solutions, as well as cooking robots and smart kitchen devices used in actual dining establishments will be introduced.
A joint promotional booth for companies benefiting from Samsung Electronics' smart factory support, special medical purpose foods (care foods) based on food tech, regional brand products, traditional liquors, and seasonal food pairing spaces will also be operated.
The opening ceremony included an awards presentation for individuals who have contributed to the development of the food and restaurant industry, with a total of 31 awards, including seven presidential citations.
The ceremony showcased the future of the food industry, transitioning from traditional foods to advanced food tech, using three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) drawing technology. Sunjae, an expert in temple cuisine, delivered a keynote speech focusing on sustainability and the value of food.
Kim Jong-gu, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "This Food Week Korea 2026 serves as a powerful stepping stone for outstanding domestic food companies to leap onto the global stage and a chance to witness innovations in the future food industry, including food tech. We will spare no effort in providing policy support and communication to solidify the global standing of K-Food and lead our food industry in the world market."
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on November 4 that the event will run until November 7, marking the largest scale in its history.
This year's event has shifted focus from consumer-oriented (B2C) to global business, enhancing support for domestic food companies in expanding their overseas markets through export consultations and collaboration with global distributors.
More than 250 overseas buyers from 46 countries are attending, including major international retailers such as Spain's Mercadona and Japan's Kobe Bussan.
These buyers will engage in individual business consultations with over 500 domestic food companies. During the event, a K-Food buyer invitation export consultation (BKF+) will be held to support promising domestic food companies in entering international markets. A tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) will also be pursued to expand exports of fresh produce like strawberries.
The exhibition hall features a live showcase themed around K-Jumak, as well as promotional areas for halal and vegan certified products and organic processed foods, showcasing a variety of K-Food products.
Food tech, considered a growth driver for the future food industry, will also be highlighted. Innovations such as smart factories integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies, logistics and distribution solutions, as well as cooking robots and smart kitchen devices used in actual dining establishments will be introduced.
A joint promotional booth for companies benefiting from Samsung Electronics' smart factory support, special medical purpose foods (care foods) based on food tech, regional brand products, traditional liquors, and seasonal food pairing spaces will also be operated.
The opening ceremony included an awards presentation for individuals who have contributed to the development of the food and restaurant industry, with a total of 31 awards, including seven presidential citations.
The ceremony showcased the future of the food industry, transitioning from traditional foods to advanced food tech, using three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) drawing technology. Sunjae, an expert in temple cuisine, delivered a keynote speech focusing on sustainability and the value of food.
Kim Jong-gu, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "This Food Week Korea 2026 serves as a powerful stepping stone for outstanding domestic food companies to leap onto the global stage and a chance to witness innovations in the future food industry, including food tech. We will spare no effort in providing policy support and communication to solidify the global standing of K-Food and lead our food industry in the world market."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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