The AFPRO 2025: Innovative Technologies of Ag-tech and Food-tech Startups Grab Special Attention from the Industry

Sejong, 16 July 2025 — On 16 July 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) held the Agri & Food Tech Startup Rising Expo 2025 (AFPRO 2025) in Coex in Seoul. The AFPRO 2025 is the Republic of Korea’s largest exposition for ag-tech and food-tech startups.

Ag-tech, a merger of agriculture and technology, refers to a new industry of applying cutting-edge technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), biotechnology, etc.) to the field of agriculture, enhancing agricultural productivity, and building an efficient agricultural system. 

Food-tech, a merger of food and technology, refers to a new industry of applying cutting-edge technologies (e.g. AI, IoT, biotechnology, etc.) to the entire value chain covering all the business processes, including production, manufacturing, distribution, and delivery, with regard to food products. Instances of food-tech include a cooking robot, a food-serving robot, a food delivery robot, plant-based meat alternatives, etc.

Through the exposition, the MAFRA has been creating an environment where ag-tech and food-tech startups showcase and promote their cutting-edge technologies to buyers from inside and outside the Republic of Korea. This way, the MAFRA has also been providing opportunities for such startups to attract investments, expand their market, and develop their business networks.

With the year 2025 marking the third anniversary of the AFPRO launched in 2023, approximately 200 ag-tech and food-tech startups, investment companies, retailers, etc. will participate in the exposition.

The exposition will be accompanied by a variety of side events, including a presentation of the latest technologies of the agri-tech and food-tech industry, business meetings, investment meetings, reverse pitches, a workshop about intellectual property rights for entering the market of France, a workshop about the government’s support for Korean companies to help them enter overseas markets, a seminar about the latest trend of the agri-food industry, etc.

Minister SONG Miryung of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said: “The AFPRO 2025 is a platform where ag-tech and food-tech startups present their innovative technologies and grab the most attention from the industry. We will work harder to create a sustainable ecosystem for starting a business.”