GrainScanner’s Visit to Korea’s Largest KOTRA Seoul Food 2024 Fair

GrainScanner
21 Jun 2024


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(From left) Grainscanner's Hyeon-taek Jin, Jae-pyo Kim with TEJAWAT ORGANIC FOOD CEO, Marketer, and Director at KINTEX, Goyang, on Wednesday, June 12 | Photo: Grainscanner


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GrainScanner’s Visit to Korea’s Largest KOTRA Seoul Food 2024 Expo

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From June 11th (Tue) to 14th (Fri), the largest food fair in Korea and one of Asia's four major food industry platforms, Seoul Food 2024, was held at KINTEX in Ilsan, marking the largest scale in history. Celebrating its 42nd edition, Seoul Food 2024 saw participation from 1,605 companies from 51 countries, attracting approximately 53,000 visitors. The exhibition expanded to include both KINTEX Exhibition Hall 1 and Hall 2, offering various programs such as buyer consultations, live commerce, Seoul Food Awards, and numerous seminars, providing attendees with valuable information and business expansion opportunities. 


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Overview of Seoul Food 2024 at KINTEX, Goyang, on Wednesday, June 12 | Photo: Grainscanner


Amid this bustling event, Greenlabs' GrainScanner also participated, experiencing the innovations and trends of the global food market. Let’s dive into the vibrant atmosphere, visit highlights, and achievements of GrainScanner at the event.


#What did GrainScanner do at Seoul Food 2024?

GrainScanner participated in Seoul Food 2024 with three main objectives: 


✔️Maintain positive relationships with existing clients

✔️Discover new business opportunities by identifying new trade routes

✔️Understand global grain market trends and dynamics through discussions with packers


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Seoul Food 2024 BIZ MATCHING area at KINTEX, Goyang, on Wednesday, June 12 | Photo: Grainscanner

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Grainscanner Booth 1 at the BIZ MATCHING area on Wednesday, June 12. A Grainscanner representative discusses with an international participant. | Photo: Grainscanner (From left: Tae-jung Hong, Grainscanner; Representative of an international participant)


We were invited to participate in the 'Business Matching' program, where we were assigned booth #1. This prime location allowed us to conduct pre-arranged meetings with international packers. While online interactions often limit access to detailed information on pricing and grain specifications, these face-to-face meetings enabled more efficient communication of product details and pricing, leading to productive discussions.


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Grainscanner team members engaging with current partners at Canadian booths in the International Hall on Wednesday, June 12. Clockwise: Alliance zone inc, Arjazon, Meraki booths | Photo: Grainscanner


#Exceeding Expectations!

Beyond the Biz-Matching program, face-to-face meetings with existing international packers and partners opened up tangible business opportunities. The event was particularly valuable due to the presence of many packers dealing with chickpeas and Khorasan wheat, our key products. Notably, we further concretized our trade agreements with a Canadian company met at a Dubai exhibition, and planned to revive a previously suspended business with another firm. Through conversations with various packers, we gained insights into global grain trends, including popular items in the overseas grain market, predictions for next year, emerging products, and what suppliers want to sell in the Korean market.



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Grainscanner content team enjoying the 'Photo Booth Sparkle' event at Seoul Food 2024 | Photo: Grainscanner


#Exhibition Highlights

The most impressive aspects of this year’s exhibition were the ‘Photo Booth’ and the ‘Restriction on General Visitors.’ The ‘Photo Booth,’ introduced for the first time this year, allowed visitors to capture memorable moments, much like a ‘photo booth’ experience. This feature drew significant interest and excitement from attendees. Additionally, the restriction on general visitors allowed our partners to focus on meeting key buyers and exploring business opportunities without distractions, which received positive feedback.


💡Tips for Attending the Exhibition from GrainScanner!

  • No need to bring a heavy computer! Just a pen and notebook
    : Travel light! But make sure to bring plenty of business cards. 
  • Plan and set agendas for efficient meetings
    Instead of meeting aimlessly, Set clear objectives and agendas in advance to maximize productivity.
  • Keep the exhibition schedule in mind
    While daily attendance would be ideal, it's often not feasible. Pre-planning helps optimize your route and time management.
  • Share contact information via apps like WhatsApp
    : While business cards are important, sharing contact information on the spot using an app can help you remember contacts better later.



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Exhibitor booths and various events at Seoul Food 2024 | Photo: Grainscanner

#Various Events
In addition to the Photo Booth, Seoul Food 2024 featured a wide array of events designed to capture the interest and curiosity of visitors and make the exhibition even more vibrant. Events such as lucky draws, darts, cooking competitions, and the Seoul Food Awards added an extra layer of fun and richness to the exhibition. Enjoy the lively atmosphere through the vivid on-site photos taken by GrainScanner!



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Seoul Food 2024 | Photo: Grainscanner


The Seoul Food 2024 exhibition showcased a vast array of products, reflecting its massive scale. Attendees could explore organic products, vegan options, various spices and grains, health-related items, and trendy K-food products. The domestic pavilion particularly attracted numerous local and international visitors due to the ongoing K-food craze. Notably popular were frozen kimbap and HMR (Home Meal Replacement) products, which have greatly improved in taste and quality, dispelling any negative perceptions about frozen or convenience foods.

At Seoul Food 2024, Grainscanner strengthened relationships with existing partners, identified new business opportunities, and gained insights into the latest trends in the grain market. We will continue to work diligently to lead the global grain trade industry.


📢Notice
This content is based on information from the official Seoul Food 2024 website. For more detailed information about the exhibition, please visit the official website.
🔗Visit the Official Website>


“GrainScanner: Your Partner in Agri-Food Trade"

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grain@greenlabs.co.kr

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