USDA Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary Taylor Launches Trade Mission in South Korea

  |   News Release
FAS Press
A group of agribusiness leaders, U.S. officials, and Korean Officials gather together for a group photo.

SEOUL, South Korea, March 25, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor arrived in Seoul today to launch an agribusiness trade mission. Taylor leads a delegation comprised of officials from 48 agribusiness and farm organizations and five state departments of agriculture seeking to develop strong ties with Korean partners and introduce their diverse products to Korean consumers. 

Korea and the United States celebrated the 10th anniversary of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement in 2022. This agreement supports the bilateral trade relationship that accounted for South Korea ranking as the United States’ fifth largest market for agricultural and related products in 2023, with more than $8 billion in exports. 

“South Korean consumers appreciate the quality and reliability of U.S. food and agricultural products. I’m excited to introduce the U.S. companies and their diverse lineup of products to this important market,” said Taylor. “This week provides a great opportunity to develop the partnerships and foster the collaboration that are critical to facilitating the long-term relationships that will form the basis for expanding U.S.-South Korea trade. I’m confident the engagements planned here in Seoul will deliver mutually beneficial results.”

This week, local staff from FAS Seoul will host business meetings between U.S. trade mission delegates and Korean companies looking to import American food and farm products. The trade mission itinerary also includes bilateral meetings with Korean industry and government officials and retail promotions featuring U.S. products. 

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Under Secretary Taylor will join principals from the Arkansas, California, Indiana, and North Dakota state departments of agriculture for a media teleconference on Mon., April 1, at 3 p.m. EDT. Reporters interested in participating should RSVP by emailing press-fas@usda.gov for dial-in instructions by COB, Wednesday, March 27.

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

South Korea Agribusiness Trade Mission 2024

A small group of people walking around a wholesale grocery store.
Exports of U.S. agricultural and related products to South Korea were just over $8 billion in 2023, thanks in part to a successful U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), which marked a 10-year anniversary in 2022, helping make South Korea our fifth largest single-country export market. In 2023, the top five U.S. agricultural and related export categories to Korea were: beef and beef products ($2.1 billion); pork and pork products ($633 M); seafood ($479 M) wheat ($417 M); distillers’ grains ($382 M); and food preparations ($343 M). Other U.S. products in high demand by the Korean food processing, retail, restaurant sectors include fruits, vegetables, and nuts; dairy and eggs; coffee and related products; distilled spirits; pet food; and condiments and sauces. 
A man speaks at a podium with a background that reads USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission South Korea
Mark Dries, Minister Counselor for Agricultural Affairs, Seoul, Korea speaking at the plenary session.
A man speaks at a podium with a label that reads USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission South Korea
Philip S. Goldberg, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea providing remarks at the plenary session.
A logo that reads USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission South Korea
of
Grid View Close Modal
A small group of people walking around a wholesale grocery store.
Exports of U.S. agricultural and related products to South Korea were just over $8 billion in 2023, thanks in part to a successful U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), which marked a 10-year anniversary in 2022, helping make South Korea our fifth largest single-country export market. In 2023, the top five U.S. agricultural and related export categories to Korea were: beef and beef products ($2.1 billion); pork and pork products ($633 M); seafood ($479 M) wheat ($417 M); distillers’ grains ($382 M); and food preparations ($343 M). Other U.S. products in high demand by the Korean food processing, retail, restaurant sectors include fruits, vegetables, and nuts; dairy and eggs; coffee and related products; distilled spirits; pet food; and condiments and sauces. 
A man speaks at a podium with a background that reads USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission South Korea
Mark Dries, Minister Counselor for Agricultural Affairs, Seoul, Korea speaking at the plenary session.
A man speaks at a podium with a label that reads USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission South Korea
Philip S. Goldberg, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea providing remarks at the plenary session.
A logo that reads USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission South Korea
Korea Trade Agreement, Exporting, Trade Missions
South Korea

Related News

News Release

USDA Trade Mission Builds New Opportunities for U.S. Agribusinesses in South Korea

Representatives from 49 U.S. companies and organizations will join the USDA trade mission to South Korea later this month.
News Release

USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor to Lead Historic Native Nations Agribusiness Trade Mission to Canada

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead an historic agribusiness trade mission to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from June 17-20, 2024.
News Release

USDA Under Secretary Taylor to Lead Agribusiness Trade Mission to India

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor will lead the agribusiness trade mission to New Delhi, India, from April 22-25, 2024. USDA is now accepting applications from U.S. exporters who wish to join this delegation.

Related Events

Mar 25
Mar 29
Trade Mission

South Korea - March 2024