Korea Food Industry Association Chair Park Jin-seon (Sempio CEO) said, "I will faithfully serve as a bridge so the food industry can develop in a balanced way."
On the 30th, Park said in a New Year's message, "Major economic institutions at home and abroad expect 2026 to also be a year of high uncertainty due to prolonged high interest rates and greater exchange-rate volatility," adding, "In particular, Korea's economy continues to face concerns about an overall slowdown as sluggish domestic demand and weakened consumer sentiment persist."
Park added, "The domestic food industry is also facing a complex set of challenges, including demographic changes from low birth rates and an aging population, a shrinking domestic market, volatility in import raw material prices, and rising logistics and labor costs," noting, "As social demands for price stability grow, the management burden on food companies is becoming even heavier."
Park analyzed that even under these conditions, K-food has been achieving meaningful results in the global market by posting a record high in exports every year and is establishing itself as a new growth engine for the national industry.
Park said, "K-food exports, led by ramen, kimchi, ready-to-eat meals, processed rice foods, and sauces, are maintaining steady growth," adding, "As export markets diversify to North America, Europe, and the Middle East, K-food is moving beyond a simple fad to become a pillar of global food culture."
Park projected that this is a crucial time for the food industry to shift to a strategy centered on exports and global markets. He said, "Now is the time for the food industry to pursue sustainable growth strategies aligned with global consumer trends, along with industrywide overhauls such as digital transformation and stronger food safety and quality control."
He went on to say the Korea Food Industry Association will focus on expanding K-food exports and establishing a rapid-response system for food safety, supporting stable improvements in the business environment for small and midsize companies. He added the association will also support large companies so they can take the lead in strengthening K-food exports.
He also said, "We will actively promote a range of social contribution programs that can protect public health and contribute to local communities, and we will do our best to become an association that works together with the public."