SEOUL FOOD & HOTEL 2009 

SEOUL FOOD & HOTEL was created in 2007 when SEOUL FOOD (organized by KOTRA) and FOOD & HOTEL KOREA (organized by Allworld Exhibitions), the two leading food and beverage industry trade fairs in South Korea, decided to merge and become one of Asia’s largest trade events. This will be the fair’s 3rd edition although at the same time it will also be the 27th edition of SEOUL FOOD and the 7th edition of FOOD & HOTEL KOREA.

Spain will be the “partner country” at this edition of the fair which means the pavilion and Spanish companies and products in general will attract a great amount of publicity. Special mention of the Spanish participation will be made in all the fair’s promotional materials, website and press releases.

The opening ceremony will also provide a platform for the presentation of Spanish companies and a reception to promote Spanish products will be held one evening.

There are increasing opportunities in the South Korean market for foreign agro-food products. Pride of place goes to olive oil exports where Spain achieved a market share of close to 75%, largely due to bulk sales although an increase was also recorded in value-added niches.

Sales of Spanish pork have also been on the increase since 2002. Until now the refrigerated and frozen meat sector has accounted for the majority of these sales but opportunities also exist for cured meat and sausages.

Wine exports have been growing at an annual rate of almost 50%. Sales figures were initially very low so it is reasonable to believe there is still scope for increasing the presence of Spanish wines in South Korea.