South Korean food producers expand export reach to Europe and North America

South Korean food producers from the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions are actively expanding their international distribution networks into North American and European markets.

In Naju, efforts are underway to diversify the export market for Naju pears. Currently, approximately 65% of Naju pear exports are concentrated in the North American market. To reduce this dependency, the Jeonnam Food Export Association is working with Pan Asia, a major Korean food distributor in Europe with logistics networks in Germany and Austria, to establish a more stable presence in the European market.

Simultaneously, food companies from the Jeonlam-Gwangju region have achieved significant success in North America. During the ‘K-Food Trade Expo’ in California, five regional products—including seaweed, japchae, and citron drinks—were officially added to the product catalog of JFC International, one of North America’s largest distributors of Asian food and beverages. The Jeonnam-Gwangju Metropolitan City US Office plans to provide follow-up support to ensure these registrations lead to sustained export orders.