Eight small and medium-sized enterprises in food and beauty sectors join the event, expanding their foothold in the European market
South Jeolla Province secured $1.38 million in export memorandums of understanding at K-EXPO Paris 2026, held recently in France, the provincial government announced Tuesday.
The event is a leading trade fair introducing a range of Korean consumer goods — including K-food, beauty and cultural products — to the European market, drawing large numbers of local buyers and consumers.
South Jeolla Province attended alongside eight companies — six in food and two in beauty — showcasing products such as health foods, ready-to-eat meals, rice-processed foods and functional cosmetics.
The participating companies were Damwoo Co. (namul bibimbap and ready-to-eat meals), Haenong Co. (processed seaweed and seaweed snacks), Food Papa F&B Co. (processed rice cake products), Misilan Co. (rice-processed products and grain powder), Kim October LLC (processed seaweed and seaweed snacks), Innopluxx Co. (functional cosmetics), Mesacosa Co. (skincare products) and Seogwang Food (yuzu tea and juice).
The companies held active export consultations with local buyers, resulting in MOUs totaling $1.38 million. Additional consultations, sample testing and import discussions are also under way, with further deals expected to follow.
South Jeolla's premium agricultural and fishery products, along with beauty products made from natural ingredients, drew strong attention from local buyers, who recognized their quality and distinctiveness. The response confirmed the competitiveness and growth potential of South Jeolla products in the European market.
"We confirmed strong European market interest in South Jeolla products and their export potential," said Shin Hyeon-gon, the province's director of international cooperation. "We will work to translate that into tangible export results through follow-up consultations and marketing support."
South Jeolla Province is pursuing a range of export support initiatives — including participation in overseas trade fairs, dispatch of market development missions, invitations to foreign buyers and export consultation events — to diversify its export markets and respond to shifts in the global trade environment.
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