President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has prompted domestic food companies to strengthen cooperation with local enterprises, accelerating their efforts to penetrate the Middle Eastern market.

CJ CheilJedang announced on the 20th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for business cooperation, including product distribution, with local consumer goods distribution company 'Al Khayyat Investments' at the 'Korea-UAE Business Round Table (BRT)' event held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the 19th (local time).

Through this agreement, CJ CheilJedang plans to expand its entry into major distribution channels in the Middle East. The main products are 'Bibigo Seaweed Snacks' and 'Bibigo Stir-fried Noodles,' both of which are halal-certified. A CJ CheilJedang representative explained, "The strategy is to increase sales of strategic products through the local company's distribution network, then expand the product lineup and reach adjacent countries." Having entered the Middle Eastern market in 2015, CJ CheilJedang currently operates in eight countries.

Kim Jung-soo, Vice Chairman of Samyang Foods, also attended the BRT. Samyang Foods made a full-scale entry into the Middle Eastern market in 2021 by signing a distribution contract with UAE's 'Sharya General Trading.' Middle Eastern sales, which were around KRW 25 billion at the time, increased to approximately KRW 50 billion last year, and are expected to reach KRW 66 billion this year. A Samyang Foods representative stated, "Next year, we plan to further expand the supply of the Buldak brand in the Middle East and additionally launch the global brand 'MEP'."

The Middle East region is noted for its high population growth rate and significant middle-class proportion. Positioned as a hub connecting Islamic cultures, South Asia, and North Africa, it is also gaining attention as a new market for the spread of K-food. Recently, the demand for K-food in the Middle East has been rapidly increasing. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the export value of agricultural products to the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the Middle East from July this year to last month (provisional figures) was USD 157.2 million (approximately KRW 230.9 billion), a 23.5% increase compared to the previous year.

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