The government of the Republic of Korea has designated 30 overseas diplomatic missions as "K-food hubs" for 2026 to help drive global expansion of Korean food exports.
The initiative was announced on January 27, 2026, by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (south korea). Out of 43 missions that applied, 30 were selected based on export growth potential, market diversification opportunities, and their ability to cooperate with trade and industry partners.
The designations are part of the government's "K-Food Expanding into Global Markets" policy and the Global K-Food Export Strategy announced in late 2025. Five hubs are located in key markets—the United States, China, and Japan. Seventeen are in promising regions including ASEAN, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, while eight are in emerging markets across Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa.
For greenhouse growers and fresh produce exporters, the hubs are intended to provide practical, in-market support. This includes help with market entry, guidance on food regulations and non-tariff barriers, assistance with customs and quarantine procedures, and identification of local distribution channels.
Each hub will work with organizations such as the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), as well as buyers, distributors, and cultural centers. They will also promote K-food through targeted marketing activities tailored to regional consumer preferences.
According to the two ministries, the goal is to combine trade support with public diplomacy efforts, helping Korean food companies strengthen their global presence while addressing practical export challenges on the ground.
Source: www.mafra.go.kr
