During the week of June 14, Josh Weiner toured a group of Korean journalists and educators through Eastern Washington agricultural production areas. The delegation included representatives from Korea’s most renowned media outlets. The Director and a Marketing Specialist from the U.S. Agricultural Trade Office in Seoul, Korea also participated in the tour. The tour provided influential members of the Korean food and beverage community with an education on the diverse group of agricultural products produced within the region, as well as the high standards maintained by both growers and processors.

Korea is a high potential market for agricultural exports. It is currently the fifth largest market for U.S. agricultural products and U.S. market share is expected to increase after implementation of the Korea – U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The rising affluence of consumers coupled with consumers’ emphasis on high-quality, healthy foods is expected to make Korea one of the top agricultural export markets for the foreseeable future.