South Korea awaits - a unique opportunity for European foodtech companies to gain market insights
HURTIGT OVERBLIK:
XPLORE INNOVATION MISSION:
- European foodtech companies are invited to join the Xplore Innovation Mission to South Korea
- South Korea offers access to advanced foodtech market and Asia-Pacific.
- Participants gain networking, site visits and market insights.
South Korea’s food technology market is experiencing strong and sustained growth, fuelled by rapid innovation and a dynamic consumer base (Photo: JGregorySF by iStock)
European foodtech companies have an exciting opportunity ahead as Food & Bio Cluster Denmark heads to South Korea on the Xplore Innovation Mission from 27-31 October 2025.
Designed for innovators in alternative proteins, upcycled ingredients, functional foods, retail tech, or sustainable packaging, the mission promises access to one of Asia’s most advanced food-innovation markets under the auspices of the Global Alliance for Food and the Enterprise Europe Network.
Why South Korea now?
South Korea stands out as one of Asia’s most dynamic and technology-oriented food markets. With strong government backing and an ambitious national Foodtech Development Plan (2023–2027), the country is investing heavily in innovation to address challenges such as labor shortages, aging farmers, and rising consumer expectations for healthier, more sustainable, and personalized food options. Initiatives like Foodpolis, the National Food Cluster, offer world-class infrastructure and support to foreign companies interested in testing, developing, or manufacturing food products in Korea.
At the same time, Korean consumers are highly digital, brand-sensitive, and eager to adopt new trends, making the country an ideal testbed for functional foods, alternative proteins, upcycled ingredients, and smart retail solutions. With an advanced e-commerce ecosystem and a strong emphasis on R&D, Korea offers European companies real opportunities for collaboration, co-innovation, and market access, not just domestically, but also as a strategic gateway to the broader Asia-Pacific region.
South Korea represents much more than a market opportunity. It is a gateway into how food innovation can meet demanding consumers at the cutting edge of technology, health and sustainability. For European companies, success here will depend on combining proven European quality with deep local insight. Those that do so will find Korea is not just a destination, but a partner in growth.
Senior International Manager at Food & Bio Cluster Denmark
What European companies can gain
By joining this mission, European foodtech innovators will be able to:
- Meet key Korean stakeholders such as industry players, public institutions and clusters like Foodpolis, the Korean National Food Cluster.
- Network and meet new potential collaboration partners during COEX Food Week, Korea’s leading food industry trade fair, providing exposure and possible collaboration or export contacts.
- Gain insights via pilot plant, start-up center, R&D labs or packaging centre visits, seeing both Korean market demands and infrastructure in action.
- Use Korea as a launchpad into the broader Asia-Pacific region, where Korean consumer trends often lead or influence neighbouring markets.
Challenges (and what to watch for)
- Regulatory compliance: Food safety, novel ingredients, labelling and packaging laws in Korea can differ markedly from Europe.
- Consumer preferences: Taste, flavour, packaging style, branding - all may need localisation.
- Distribution: Large domestic players or conglomerates wield strong negotiation power; working with reputable importers/distributors is crucial.
- Price sensitivity vs quality expectations: European brands are often premium, and while there is demand, matching value propositions carefully is key.
Event highlights and key dates
Dates: 27-31 October 2025
Deadline for registration: 2 October 2025
Key programme items include: briefings with the Korean Ministry of Agriculture; participation in COEX Food Week and its international conference; visits to innovation hubs like Foodpolis, labs such as CJ CheilJedang; matchmaking and pitching sessions; cultural immersion.
If you are a European food innovation company thinking globally, this mission could be your bridge into a rapidly evolving, high-potential market.
Join our webinar
Join us for the promotion webinar on Innovative Foodtech Solutions on 29 Sepember - see program below.
By joining, you will e-meet expert speakers from Delight Food, Novensis, ODS Protein and Korea National Food Cluster.
KONTAKT //
Susanne Baden Jørgensen
AKTUELT //
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South Korea awaits - a unique opportunity for European foodtech companies to gain market insights
European foodtech companies have an exciting opportunity ahead as Food & Bio Cluster Denmark heads to South Korea on the Xplore Innovation Mission from 27-31 October 2025.
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