K-Food+ continues its ‘plus’ growth this year!

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Song Mei-ryeong, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) announced the “K-Food Plus * ^{Export Expansion Strategy” to achieve USD 14 billion in agricultural, food, and} agricultural industry exports by 2025 at the 6th Export Strategy Meeting held on Tuesday, February 18, chaired by Acting President Choi Sang- mok.

  * Agricultural products (K-Food, processed foods, fresh agricultural products) and agricultural products (+, smart farms, agricultural equipment, pet food, etc.)

  In 2024, K-Food ⁺ exports achieved a record high of approximately USD 13 billion (up 6.7% year-on-year) despite difficult export conditions such as the international situation and exchange rates. In 2025, domestic and international uncertainties related to exports such as the spread of protectionism, unstable international situation, and climate change are expected, but in order to continue last year’s export growth, the “K-Food ⁺ Export Expansion Promotion Headquarters (Director: Minister Song Mei-ling)” in which the public and private sectors work together will proactively respond to changes in the trade environment and promote four major strategies.

1. Responding to external export risks

  First, we plan to resolve difficulties faced by export companies by responding promptly to the rapidly changing global export environment, such as exchange rate fluctuations, rising logistics costs, and strengthening non-tariff barriers.  ^▲ In order to protect against exchange rate gains and losses, we plan to expand the application of the foreign exchange rate insurance deductible rate relaxation (from 5 to maximum 0%), which was previously only applied to the yen, to the dollar.

  In addition,  ^▲ we will expand joint logistics centers and cold chains in major exporting countries (from 104 to 110 locations),  ^▲ respond to non-tariff barriers by utilizing overseas specialized agencies to provide consulting support for customs clearance, certification, and SPS, and operating visiting programs for officials (quarantine officers, etc.) in major exporting countries,  and ^▲ strengthen our response to counterfeit K-Food products by cooperating with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the Intellectual Property Protection Agency, etc.

2 Diversification of export markets and products

  Agricultural and food products are planning to actively advance into second-tier cities in mature markets such as the U.S., China, and Japan.  ^▲ Support the use of joint logistics centers and cold chains in conjunction with advancement into major regional distribution stores,  ^{and ▲} Support the export of major food materials such as kimchi, tteokbokki, processed rice products, and sauces in conjunction with group meals for overseas local corporations of our companies.

  Promising markets such as the three major new markets (Middle East, Central and South America, India) will be approached strategically by reflecting consumer trends, religion, and culture.  ^▲ We will promote in conjunction with local fairs and regional festivals centered around Dubai, Sao Paulo, and Mumbai, and  ^▲ We plan to expand mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) between domestic and foreign certification agencies and operate pop-up stores to enter the halal market.

  In addition,  ^▲ agricultural machinery will expand the product line of small and medium-sized tractors (60-110 horsepower) to expand into Europe, and joint marketing between ‘tractor + implement’ companies,  ^▲ pesticides and fertilizers will expand export support programs such as product sophistication and legal affairs to advance into Oceania and the Middle East (KRW 1.1→1.5 billion),  ^▲ veterinary drugs will dispatch market development teams to advance into South America and Southeast Asia,  ^{and ▲} pet food will support the sophistication of organic, handmade, and natural raw material feed to advance into the US market.

3 Global trend-linked marketing and sophistication

^* In order to expand the export volume   of the 10 major strategic agricultural and food products  to 4 billion dollars (10-40 Club), we plan to actively utilize the global popularity of the Korean Wave and the expansion of the e-commerce market.

  * Strawberries, pears, grapes, paprika, ginseng, kimchi, ramen, processed rice products, snacks, drinks

  ^▲ Depending on the popularity of the Korean Wave in each country, we will gradually implement large-scale billboard advertisements, social networking service (SNS) marketing, etc.  ^▲ Expand indirect advertising (PPL) for export items targeting online video services (OTT) worldwide (11→12 times),  ^▲ Expand Korean food sections in major overseas online malls (Tmall, Lazada, etc.) (15→17 locations).

  ^▲ In order to upgrade fresh agricultural products, we will comprehensively support production, sorting, packaging, and marketing centered on export integration organizations (17) and specialized production complexes (182).  ^▲ We will pioneer new premium markets such as high-end restaurants (fine dining), hotels, in-flight meals, and duty-free shops.  ^▲ We plan to actively promote promising K-Food, including 10 strategic items such as processed rice products, ginseng, and traditional liquor, during visits to Korea by high-ranking officials from major countries such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

4. Resolving export difficulties and enhancing competitiveness

  We will establish a tight support system to reduce the cost burden of export companies and resolve difficulties.  ^▲ Establish and expand funds for purchasing raw materials such as agricultural products (KRW 450 billion), agricultural machinery (KRW 300 billion), fertilizers (KRW 400 billion → KRW 500 billion), and pesticides (KRW 15 billion, new),  ^▲ Expand support for modernizing export companies’ facilities (KRW 4.6 billion → KRW 9.6 billion), and  ^▲ Newly support the construction of smart factories (up to KRW 200 million per company, in collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups).

  In particular,  ^▲ in order to resolve difficulties customized for the entire export process, we plan to expand agricultural and food product export vouchers (KRW 328 → 36 billion) and continue to support agricultural and industry export vouchers (in collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups),  ^{and ▲} establish a full-cycle support system for smart farms, from buyer and project discovery (key trade offices, 5 → 6 locations) → promotion of base utilization (pilot greenhouses, 3 → 4 locations) → close support (new support for overseas demonstrations and expansion of consortium support, 4 → 6 locations).

  In addition,  ^▲ the operation of the public-private joint ｢K-Food ⁺ Export Expansion Promotion Headquarters｣ and  ^▲ the expansion of the functions of the ｢Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Export Information Desk｣ to strengthen inquiries and consultations for export companies ^* will be carried out,  ^{and ▲} translation services for overseas laws and regulations that are difficult for individual companies to access (in collaboration with the Ministry of Government Legislation) will also be expanded.

  * Assign dedicated staff to 12 locations domestically and 6 locations overseas, and create a database (DB) by consultation type to secure expertise

  Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mei-ling said, “Although there are external uncertainties, we will do our best to diversify and advance markets and products based on the awareness and trust of K-Food among consumers around the world so that we can achieve exports of 14 billion dollars.” She also said, “Above all, we will work closely with relevant ministries centered around the ‘K-Food Plus ^Export Expansion Promotion Headquarters’ so that difficulties experienced by exporting companies in the field can be resolved as quickly as possible.”