Trade mission to the Food and Hotels Seoul 2026 exhibition

Seoul Food & Hotel is the largest international food and hospitality exhibition in Korea and the fourth largest of its kind in Asia. In 2025, the event attracted over 45,000 visitors—importers, distributors and buyers from across Asia.

The Republic of Korea is a strategic market for food producers. In 2024, the country imported approximately US$40.5 billion worth of agri-food products and seafood, whilst the trade deficit in the food sector stood at nearly US$29 billion. The retail market for packaged food products is valued at US$28.8 billion and is forecast to grow to US$34.8 billion by 2029. Demand for imported products is growing steadily against a backdrop of declining domestic production and changing consumer habits. Key market trends include convenience, functional foods and high-quality products that meet the needs of a healthy lifestyle. Promising categories for Ukrainian exporters include dairy products, processed meat products, juice concentrates, frozen fruit and vegetables, confectionery, snacks and semi-finished products.

Participation in the trade mission enables participants to hold direct negotiations with Korean importers and distributors at the exhibition venue, present their products to a target audience of buyers, familiarise themselves with market requirements regarding certification and labelling, and gain an up-to-date understanding of price positioning and the competitive landscape. The Korean market is open to new suppliers capable of offering competitive prices, quality, or niche products — particularly from countries that do not yet have a strong presence in the region.