South Korea Launches BOOST Strategy to Pursue $16 Billion K-Food+ Export Target
South Korea will intensify support for fresh produce, processed food and agricultural industries after K-Food+ exports reached a record $8.25 billion through July, up 4.8% year on year. The government’s BOOST strategy targets $16 billion in annual exports, including a first $100 million export year for Korean grapes.
Record exports leave a demanding second-half target
South Korea has launched a five-part export campaign aimed at lifting annual K-Food+ shipments to $16 billion, with fresh fruit, mainstream retail distribution and regulatory support at the center of its second-half strategy.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the BOOST program on September 3 at a public-private export planning meeting in Seoul. According to Financial News, K-Food+ exports reached a record $8.25 billion through the end of July, an increase of 4.8% from the same period a year earlier. The category includes agricultural food as well as agricultural machinery, fertilizers and veterinary products.
Ramen exports exceeded $1 billion within seven months, continuing to lead processed-food growth. Fresh fruit also recorded substantial gains, with grape exports rising 35.0%, pears 55.2% and strawberries 15.7%, supported by demand from Taiwan, the United States and ASEAN markets. Financial News reported exports of heat-treated poultry and Jeju beef and pork covered by newly concluded quarantine arrangements at $5.32 million, up 488%.
The United States was the largest named market at $1.18 billion, up 9.8%, while exports to China reached $940 million, up 6.7%. Shipments also increased to the Middle East, Latin America, the European Union, Central Asia and ASEAN.
Grapes lead diversification beyond ramen
The government wants grapes to become South Korea’s first fresh agricultural product with annual exports of $100 million. Food News reported that exporters will secure 12,000 tonnes of premium fruit in advance, equivalent to 93% of the target volume, and focus sales on the December-January gap in South American supply.
US grape shipments are planned to rise by 150% from the existing level to about 2,700 tonnes, partly through Costco. The support package includes inspections on weekends and public holidays, a field response task force and 5.7 billion won for refrigerated transport vehicles.
For strawberries, authorities plan to secure year-end airfreight capacity and conduct a 30-tonne trial of premium fruit harvested at 90% ripeness, while developing Brazil and other emerging markets. Pear exporters will seek additional premium channels in Taiwan and Vietnam to reduce their 55% dependence on the US market. Separate storage is intended to extend the pear export season from April into May.
The product strategy also covers traditional alcoholic beverages, frozen gimbap, tteokbokki and rice drinks. Six K-Jumak pop-up venues will promote traditional drinks, while bundled products pairing them with Korean snacks are planned for the United States. The government will supply an additional 60,000 tonnes of processing rice for convenience-food manufacturing.
Mainstream retailers and emerging markets
In the United States, Seoul intends to move Korean food beyond predominantly Asian consumers by expanding ramen, sauces and rice products into H.E.B, Kroger and Target. Cooperation between larger and smaller companies is expected to place 67 products from 25 businesses in Costco and other retailers, according to Food News.
China’s campaign will combine ramen with health products and establish permanent Korean-food sections on Tmall, JD.com, Douyin and Pinduoduo. An expanded fulfillment network is designed to provide nationwide delivery within three days.
Vietnam’s logistics hubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will support seasonal fruit promotions. Europe will be targeted through 89 Korean exhibitors at SIAL Paris in October and additional promotion of heat-treated poultry products. Other measures include halal-focused campaigns in Indonesia and Malaysia, cold-chain trials in Russia and Kazakhstan, and an alternative shipping route through the United Arab Emirates’ Khor Fakkan port.
Financing and regulatory support
The government will expand seasonal marketing campaigns from 124 to 159 between September and December. Promotions are planned with Costco and H Mart in the United States, premium retailers in China and K-Market in Vietnam.
Food News said 4 billion won in remaining or unused funds, normally allocated in November, will be reassigned in September, while an additional 8.4 billion won will go to differentiated export vouchers. A 52-member private expert group will help companies address operational problems.
The BOOST plan also calls for continuous monitoring of foreign regulations, targeted licensing support and enforcement against counterfeit Korean food products. Exporters serving Europe will receive assistance with customs issues related to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which the source said took effect in August.
