By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

The “EU Food Market & Networking” event was held under the sponsorship of the European Union (EU) on November 25 at the Floating Island Convention Hall on Sebitseom in Banpo, Seoul.

Under the slogan of “Colours by Europe, Tastes of Excellence,” the event brought together experts from Korea’s food and beverage industry as well as media representatives to explore the quality and appeal of European agri-food products and discuss future cooperation opportunities.

The event began with opening remarks by Kim Mi-kyung, Trade Officer at the EU Delegation to Korea, followed by a panel discussion titled “EU Food & Beverage – Strengths and Opportunities in the Korean Market.”

Market watchers said that sustainability, high-quality ingredients, and Europe’s focus on health and environmentally conscious production—combined with systems such as PDO and PGI for origin protection—aligned well with consumer demand in Korea’s premium market.

A variety of booths operated by importers showcased premium EU food and beverage products, allowing attendees to sample signature European items such as wine, cheese, and olive oil.

The event concluded with a networking dinner featuring dishes prepared using high-quality European ingredients, facilitating active business exchanges among industry participants.

It served as a networking platform to highlight the competitiveness and sustainability of European agri-food products and explore opportunities for expansion in the Korean market. Industry officials expect broader collaboration in the food distribution and dining sectors in 2025.