KOTRA Holds Korean Food Online Consultation Event in Thailand

Opening of 'K-Food in Bangkok 2020' in Bangkok

KOTRA held 'K-Food in Bangkok 2020' in Bangkok, Thailand on the 26th. The photo shows a Thai buyer directly inspecting Korean food products at the event (Photo by KOTRA).

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] KOTRA held 'K-Food in Bangkok 2020' in Bangkok, Thailand on the 26th, the agency announced on the 27th. This event, organized to increase the entry of Korean food products into the Thai market, consisted of on-site tasting sessions and business video consultations.

Twenty domestic food companies hoping to enter the Thai market, including those dealing in processed foods, health foods, and sauces, participated in the consultation sessions. On the Bangkok side, 42 Thai food buyers, including major distributors Siam Makro and CP All, took part.

In the first half of this year, South Korea's exports to Thailand recorded $3.18 billion, a 19.7% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, agricultural and food exports increased by 14.7% to $112 million.

Due to the rapid changes in lifestyle patterns caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), demand for Korean food products such as easy-to-cook items is increasing locally in Thailand. Ramen exports to Thailand in the first half of this year rose by 43.4% compared to the same period last year, and sauces increased by as much as 89.7%.

In particular, the popularity of K-dramas through online platforms has heightened interest in Korean food culture featured in the broadcasts. To reflect the changed atmosphere of the Thai market and increase the possibility of export contracts, KOTRA pre-shipped samples from domestic participating companies. This provided buyers with the opportunity to taste the products directly during video consultations.

Kim Hyun-tae, head of KOTRA's Bangkok Trade Center, said, "Thailand is a market with well-developed food-related upstream and downstream industries," and added, "As the Korean Wave expands into K-Food, we urge you to actively knock on the doors of the Thai market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.