The K-Food Global Vision announced on Dec. 12 at the convention venue aT Center in Seoul's Seocho-gu District set an annual goal of KRW 21 billion in food exports by 2030. Shown are ramyeon (instant noodles) on a shelf of a convenience store in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Aisylu Akhmetzianova)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

A government vision of developing the food industry as a strategic sector that leads the world eyes annual food exports in 2030 of KRW 21 billion, more than doubling the rise of USD 3.6 billion seen over the past five years.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Dec. 23 said this at a joint ceremony for announcing the K-Food Global Vision at the convention venue aT Center in Seoul's Seocho-gu District.

Food exports in the first 11 months of this year set a record high for the period with USD 12.34 billion.

A forthcoming "export support system" will use all available resources from relevant ministries for five main strategies: finding and developing attractive products; providing one-stop solutions; integrating "K-initiatives"; promoting digital and technical innovation; and expanding advances to promising markets such as the Middle East.

Foreign preferences and product competitiveness will be reflected in the selection of strategic goods. A proposed one-stop hub for supporting food exports will set up a hotline between government branches and relevant organizations.

Integration with promotional initiatives in tourism and content will also aim to encourage foreign tourists to consume Korean food. Other plans include expanding production of content featuring food such as entertainment programs and promoting a positive image of domestic cuisine through Hallyu (Korean Wave), sports events or projects hosted by diplomatic missions abroad.

"K-food's takeoff begins now," Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung said. "The government will place top priority on ensuring that the joint strategy of relevant government branches firmly backs our export companies and leads to the fulfillment of our 2030 export goals."

aisylu@korea.kr