Six South Korean food companies enter JFC’s North American distribution network
Six South Korean food companies have secured placement in JFC International’s North American distribution network after product testing and commercial screening. The state-backed program targets fermented and convenience foods and allows participating buyers to place orders immediately.
Six suppliers secure distribution access
Six South Korean food companies have secured placement in JFC International’s North American distribution network under a state-backed program designed to move suppliers beyond exhibitions and buyer meetings into active sales channels. The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, known as aT, announced the result on August 25 after participating in Taste of Korea 2026 in Los Angeles on August 22.
News2Day reported that the event was organized by JFC International as a supply consultation meeting for key buyers. Founded in 1958, JFC supplies about 15,000 food products to supermarkets and restaurants across North America. Its network gives the selected Korean companies broader market access than they would typically obtain by approaching individual retailers or foodservice customers.
About 300 buyers and representatives from major retailers attended the Los Angeles event, including Costco Wholesale, 99 Ranch Market and Superior Grocers. The meeting focused on fermented foods and convenience products, categories selected by aT to address North American demand for health-oriented and easy-to-prepare food.
Products screened before the buyer meeting
The placement followed a multi-stage review rather than a conventional trade-show introduction. aT’s Los Angeles office first provided participating companies with individual online consulting on entering the North American market. JFC category managers then conducted two sample-tasting sessions to evaluate flavor, commercial potential and suitability for local distribution.
aT selected 11 South Korean companies for support in North America through its Global NEXT K-Food Project, which concentrates resources on products considered promising in individual regions. Products from six of those companies passed the process and were approved for JFC channels. Their product codes had already been registered before the consultation meeting, allowing buyers to place orders immediately after making a purchasing decision.
This arrangement addresses a recurring obstacle for smaller food exporters: the delay between initial buyer interest and an actual listing or supply agreement. Taste, price, packaging and distribution terms usually require further examination after a trade fair. By completing part of that work in advance, aT and JFC shortened the route from product presentation to a potential commercial order.
Repeat orders will be the next test
A senior buyer from a major local retailer said Korean convenience foods could meet consumer demand for both convenience and health. The retailer is considering a dedicated Korean food category and showed interest in the quality and differentiation of the participating products, according to News2Day. No order values, sales targets or names of the six selected companies were disclosed.
aT plans to support the listings through the end of the year with social-media content involving local influencers, consumer trial groups and online-store promotions. The aim is to build online awareness for products entering physical distribution and encourage repeat purchases and additional orders. aT also intends to broaden the K-food range beyond established products such as kimchi and ramen into fermented sauces, ready meals and health-oriented convenience foods. The commercial significance of the initiative will ultimately depend on sales volumes, repeat orders and whether the suppliers gain access to additional retail channels.
