Global Buyers Gather at the Trade Fair for Exports of K-Food Plus

Sejong, 16 April 2025 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) will hold a trade fair called Buy Korean Food+ (BKF+) to be attended by a total of 393 Korean exporters and overseas buyers from 16 to 17 April 2025 at aT Centre in Seoul.

K-Food Plus (K-Food+) refers to a combination of (a) agri-food products and (b) the products from the agro-industry (e.g. smart farms, agricultural equipment, pet food, veterinary medical products, etc.). Agri-food products mean non-processed agricultural produce and processed food products, excluding aquatic food products. The agro-industry means an industry with forward- and backward-linkages with agriculture and agri-food products, as well as crop and livestock farming.

The field of agri-food products at the trade fair will be attended by 123 overseas buyers from 43 countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and other regions, as well as 230 Korean exporters. The field of agro-industrial products will be attended by 10 overseas buyers from 7 countries and 30 Korean exporters. 

Before the opening of BKF+, the MAFRA provided Korean exporters with the list of export items that overseas buyers are interested in to ensure that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) can be signed between Korean exporters and overseas buyers at the trade fair. Such export items include beverages, biscuits and confectionery, noodles, Korean jang (fermented soybean paste, fermented chilli pepper paste, and soy sauce), sauces, processed rice-based products, fresh fruits, kimchi, etc. Prior to the event, the MAFRA also organized online business meetings between the two sides. 

Meanwhile, at the trade fair, there will be a ceremony of signing an agreement on shared growth and collaboration in export between large enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises. The agreement aims to provide support for export of small and medium-sized companies with a large export potential by allowing them to utilize global networks of large companies, and thus expand shared growth and export markets of large companies and small and medium-sized companies. Under the agreement, Korean desserts produced by small and medium-sized companies—such as sticky rice cakes stuffed with fresh cream, hotteok (Korean-style filled pancakes), garak-guksu (a noodle dish made with thick noodles)—will be showcased to global consumers by a large company.