From June 11 to 14, Costa Rica participated in the international Seoul Food & Hotel trade show, held at the KINTEX Exhibition Center in Seoul, South Korea. The Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) led the Costa Rican delegation, showcasing the country’s export offerings to the Asian market.
The delegation included prominent Costa Rican companies such as Café San Vito, Todo Natural, Compañía Frutera La Paz, DAPASA, Ron Centenario, Socafé, Kwiso Coffee, and Socafé. These companies presented their products, including specialty coffee, dried pineapple, frozen fruits, snacks, chocolates, rum, and coffee, in display cases at the “esencial Costa Rica” country stand. The stand aimed to provide buyers and consumers with a firsthand experience of the quality and diversity of Costa Rican products.
Mario Sáenz, Export Development Manager of PROCOMER, highlighted the importance of expanding into new markets. He stated, “At PROCOMER, we continuously seek new markets and opportunities for Costa Rican companies. Our first-time participation in Seoul Food & Hotel 2024 enabled us to present the diversity, high added value, and sustainability of our products to South Korea, in a space with business opportunities from around the world in such a dynamic and enriching market as Asia.”
The objective of Costa Rica’s participation in Seoul Food & Hotel 2024 was threefold: to promote the country as a reliable supplier of high-quality food products, increase trade with South Korea, and diversify Costa Rican exports into non-traditional markets. The trade show also provided an opportunity to showcase leading export products such as Arabica coffee, renowned worldwide for its quality and organoleptic characteristics, and the MD2 pineapple, known for its sweetness and year-round availability.
Marianella Chaves, Export Manager of Todo Natural, emphasized the value of the trade show for companies seeking to enter the Korean market. She stated, “Participating in the Seoul Food & Hotel trade show was a valuable experience for anyone interested in entering the Korean market. The trade show offered a unique opportunity to connect with buyers, suppliers, and other professionals from the Korean food industry. It was also an excellent way to learn about the latest market trends and developments.”
Roylin Monge, founder of Kwiso Coffee, expressed his satisfaction with the participation of his company’s products at the trade show. He commented, “The participation of our products in the trade show met our objectives, particularly in showcasing our specialty coffee in important international markets like Asia. It is a privilege to take our first steps in exporting our coffee together with PROCOMER.”
During the trade show, Costa Rican companies engaged with importers, distributors, and supermarket chains from South Korea and other Asian countries. They also conducted point-of-sale visits in Seoul to gain insights into consumer trends and the competitive landscape of the Korean market.
South Korea is currently the fourth largest trading partner for Costa Rican exports in Asia, with trade exceeding $363 million in the first four months of 2024. Costa Rica’s participation in Seoul Food & Hotel 2024 demonstrates its commitment to expanding its export markets and fostering economic growth through international trade.
