Seoul Food 2026 to open in June to expand K-food export opportunities

A promotional image for Seoul Food 2026 / Courtesy of Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency

Korea’s largest food exhibition will return next month, bringing together global buyers and food companies seeking new business opportunities as the worldwide popularity of Korean cuisine continues to grow.

Seoul Food 2026 is scheduled to run from June 9 to 12 at the KINTEX exhibition center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) said.

Now in its 44th edition, the exhibition will host about 1,650 companies from 45 countries, positioning itself as one of Asia’s leading food industry platforms and a key venue to promote the “K-food export initiative.”

The event aims to strengthen its role as a global business platform for the food industry while helping Korean companies expand overseas and reinforcing the exhibition’s status as a proven gateway for international market entry.

Industry professionals can attend free of charge through advance registration on the event’s official website.

A wide range of programs will be offered this year to support the sustained global growth of K-food.

The exhibition will host export consultation meetings with overseas buyers selected by KOTRA. One-on-one meetings will be arranged following a prior preference survey, while additional free on-site consultations will be available to expand export channels.

Last year’s overseas buyer sessions recorded 3,878 meetings worth $530 million in business consultations, with actual contract negotiations reaching $76 million.

The exhibition will also host business matching programs connecting overseas exhibitors with Korean buyers, as well as domestic distribution consultation sessions inviting major retailers, department stores, convenience store chains, home-shopping companies and online platforms.

Reflecting evolving industry trends, this year’s event will feature the “10th Global Food Trend & Tech Conference 2026” under the theme “AI & Robotics: The Era of Food Tech Convergence.”

Global experts will share insights on food technology and emerging industry trends, while new programs highlighting environmental, social and governance trends will also be introduced to encourage discussions on sustainability and inclusive growth across the food industry.

The United States will participate as the guest country of honor under the theme “USA Pavilion: Yours to Explore.”

The pavilion will showcase a wide range of premium U.S. food and beverage products — from meat and innovative snacks to nutritious nuts and sustainable specialty ingredients — while also sponsoring the Western main course category of the Culinary Challenge cooking competition.

The participation is intended to highlight the diversity and versatility of U.S. ingredients and promote collaboration within the global food industry.

With growing global demand for Korean cuisine and food products, the exhibition is expected to serve as a key platform for strengthening export momentum and expanding international partnerships.