The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) held a “K-Food Fair” in New York, United States, achieving export outcomes worth USD 12 million (approximately KRW 16.58 billion).

According to aT on the 24th, at the “2026 North and Central America K-Food Fair (K-FOOD FAIR)” B2B export consultation held in Manhattan, New York, on August 18–19, a total of 461 export consultations were conducted, resulting in the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and contracts worth USD 12 million.

A total of 38 Korean agri-food export companies and more than 70 buyers from the United States, Canada, and Latin America participated in the event. In particular, key buyers from across the United States as well as from Canada and Latin America were invited to one venue, with a focus on discovering new business partners that cover the North, Central, and South American markets.

On the 18th, a networking reception was held with about 150 participants, including export companies, buyers, and local food industry stakeholders. aT explained that menus using K-style sauces such as ssamjang were presented, providing local buyers with an opportunity to directly taste and experience Korean food products.

At the export consultation on the 19th, participating companies’ products were organized under four themes — ▲ K-Wellness ▲ K-Snack ▲ K-Ready Meals ▲ K-Flavor — and a wide range of items were exhibited, from fresh agricultural products, inner beauty products, and teas to snacks, desserts, beverages, instant and ready-to-eat meals, kimchi, fermented sauces, and other condiments.

In particular, as the use of weight-management drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic has spread in the North American market and interest in health and wellness has grown, attention focused on products that align with health-oriented consumption trends such as low-calorie, high-protein, and gluten-free items. In the segment of convenient yet health-conscious weight-control foods — including konjac jelly, protein drinks, and rice noodles made with bean-based protein thin noodles — MOUs worth USD 5 million were signed.

The United States has firmly established itself as the largest export market for K-food. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as of the first half of this year, exports of K-food to the United States reached USD 1.04 billion, an 11.3% increase compared with the same period last year. In response, Korea is further solidifying its foothold in the local market with products such as instant noodles, confectionery, kimchi, and pears at the forefront.

Jeon Gi-chan, Director of Export Food at aT, stated, “Since 2024, the United States has become the largest export market for Korea’s agri-food products, and there is still significant room for K-food to grow,” adding, “We will spare no effort in supporting the expansion of popularity from instant noodles and snacks to new categories such as fermented foods, ready meals, and fresh agricultural products, and in helping Korean companies advance beyond North America into Latin America as well.”

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