Buyers from Eight Countries Visit Geochang to Explore Agro-Food Export Opportunities

Buyers from the US, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and More Participate

Business Consultations Held for Local Agro-Food Exports

One-on-One Consultations by Product Category Including Processed Foods, Fresh Produce, Rice, and Grains

Site Visits to Production and Processing Facilities for Quality Control Verification

Exploring Opportunities to Expand Overseas Markets

Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province organized an export consultation meeting by inviting overseas buyers to expand international markets for local agro-food products.

The county announced that from October 1 to 3, the "2026 Overseas Buyer Invitation Export Consultation Meeting" was held at the Future Agriculture Complex Education Center within the Agricultural Technology Center and throughout the area, including local export companies.

[Photo courtesy of Geochang County] Lee Honggi, mayor of Geochang County, along with overseas buyers and representatives of local agricultural and food export companies, are taking a commemorative photo at the "2026 Overseas Buyers Invitation Export Consultation Meeting."

This consultation meeting was hosted by Geochang County and involved member companies of the Geochang Agro-Food Export Promotion Association, who invited existing trading buyers and distribution partners.

Buyers from eight countries—including the United States, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan—participated, representing the food distribution, online commerce, and health functional food sectors.

The consultation items included a wide range of processed foods such as chestnut products, seaweed chips, fruit and vegetable juices, bitter melon products, assorted color noodles, apple juice, black garlic concentrate, pomegranate collagen jelly, red balloon flower tea, as well as fresh produce like grapes and strawberries, and staples such as rice and various grains.

During the event, participating companies presented their products, and one-on-one export consultations were held between buyers and local companies.

On the final day, October 3, overseas buyers visited production and processing sites of Geochang-based export companies to observe their production facilities and quality control processes.

Since the event coincided with the "2026 Geochang Hanmadang Festival" and the "Gamak Mountain Flower Star Journey," some buyers also took part in festival events and visited regional tourist attractions.

Kim Hyunju, President of the Geochang Agro-Food Export Promotion Association, stated that the consultation meeting facilitated both business negotiations and onsite verifications between buyers and local companies, and noted that follow-up discussions for future contracts will continue.

Lee Honggi, Governor of Geochang County, visited the event to meet with participating buyers and local export company representatives, reviewed the progress of the export consultations, and reiterated his commitment to supporting the expansion of international markets.

Geochang County is pursuing overseas market entry for fresh agricultural products by utilizing the Global GAP certification of its Agro-Products Center (APC) as part of efforts to boost exports of local specialty products.

Additionally, the county plans to implement export support programs including assistance for acquiring overseas certifications, participation in international exhibitions, and hosting events to explore foreign markets, specifically aimed at agro-food companies.

This export consultation meeting was significant in that it connected counseling with site verifications by inviting existing partners and overseas buyers interested in imports.

However, whether the consultations will lead to actual export contracts and sustainable transactions depends on the results of follow-up negotiations.

For Geochang County to further expand international markets, continued support will be essential, including strengthening export competitiveness by item, obtaining overseas certifications, and establishing a stable supply system.

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