The government set a goal of fostering K-food as a strategic industry and boosting exports to $21 billion by 2030.
On the 23rd at the aT Center in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, the government announced a "Global K-food export expansion strategy" at the "K-food global vision proclamation ceremony."
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as of the end of November this year, K-food exports reached $12.34 billion, a record high. The 2030 target proposed by the government is about 1.7 times this year's performance. The government sees K-food's distinct healthy image, convenient and trendy products, and the spread of K-culture as major drivers of export growth.
To expand exports, the government will provide support that covers the entire cycle, from product development to resolving bottlenecks and pioneering new markets. First, it will select strategic items by region and market for focused development.
In key markets such as the United States, China and Japan, it will strengthen competitiveness with a focus on barbecue sauces, traditional liquor and fruit concentrates. In the Middle East, it will lead with halal premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, and fresh fruits such as grapes and strawberries. In the European Union (EU), it will cultivate high value-added health foods and heat-processed meat as strategic items.
The government will concentrate support on hygiene and safety management, buyer development and local marketing so that items that recently cleared quarantine—sweet persimmons, Jeju premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, pork, and grapes—can gain a foothold in initial markets. Reflecting demand from corporations, it will also pursue development of ready-to-eat meals and nutrition-fortified foods in connection with international cooperation projects.
Systems to reduce on-the-ground export bottlenecks will also be strengthened. The government will establish a "K-food one-stop export support hub" to unify consultation channels and set up inter-ministerial hotlines to respond to non-tariff barriers. To brace for external uncertainties such as exchange rate fluctuations, it will expand the scale of agri-food export voucher support and increase support for export insurance, certifications and consulting.
It will also promote demand expansion by linking with K-culture. It will upgrade culinary tourism programs and strengthen overseas marketing tied to variety shows and content. It will increase K-food exposure by using Korean Wave events and projects at overseas missions, and expand Korean food education and experience programs.
To secure future growth engines, it will also build a base for Foodtech and smart production. The government will support exports of Foodtech products and packages and gradually expand smart export-specialized complexes to respond to climate change. It will also conduct research to develop new domestic varieties for export and expand the setting of maximum residue limits for pesticides.
To target new markets such as the Middle East and Africa, it will strengthen support for halal, vegan and kosher (food prepared according to Jewish law) certifications. It will also expand support for using overseas joint logistics centers and participating in international food expos. Related ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety, will share roles in quarantine and customs clearance, content linkages, regulatory responses and intellectual property protection.
Minister Song Mi-ryung of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "We will provide inter-ministerial support so that the K-food export expansion strategy can translate into tangible results in the field," and added, "We will accelerate policy implementation to achieve the 2030 export target."