Korea seeks to boost K-food exports with global certification drive

Buyers and exporters holdconsultations at booths during the 2026 K-Food+ Buyer Invitation Export Consultation Meeting at the aT Center in Seocho, Seoul, April 15. Yonhap

By Lee Kyung-min

• Published Apr 30, 2026 2:22 PM KST

Korea is stepping up its push to expand K-food exports, rolling out a nationwide campaign to help companies navigate tightening global food regulations.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources' Korean Agency for Technology and Standards joined the Ministry of Finance and Economy's Export Plus Task Force to host a briefing in Seoul earlier this week aimed at demystifying overseas certification systems.

Held at the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency's IKP center, the event brought together exporters, regulators and certification experts to address what officials describe as mounting technical barriers in key markets.

The session focused on major certification frameworks, including Global Food Safety Initiative standards, halal certification and evolving European rules on novel foods and food contact materials. Officials said stricter safety and environmental regulations abroad are reshaping market access requirements for Korean exporters.

Particular attention was given to certifications increasingly required by global retailers, as well as labeling standards tied to consumer preferences such as vegan and gluten-free products.

Officials also outlined new European requirements governing recycled materials in plastic food containers and detailed approval procedures for alternative food products, including those developed with emerging technologies.

A one-on-one consultation program allowed participating companies to receive tailored guidance based on their product lines, officials said.

Yoo Beop-min, deputy head of the Export Plus Task Force, said overseas certification is no longer optional for exporters.

“Global food regulations are becoming more complex, and certification is essential for market entry,” Yoo said.

The government plans to expand the initiative beyond Seoul, with a series of regional briefings scheduled across the country.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.