Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) is South Korea’s leading government-affiliated trade promotion agency dedicated to advancing the global competitiveness of the country’s agricultural, livestock, and fishery products. Established under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), aT plays a central role in connecting Korean food producers with international markets, offering export support, market intelligence, logistics infrastructure, and brand promotion on a global scale.
Organization Overview
Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, aT operates as a state-owned enterprise and the key export facilitator for South Korean food industries. The corporation manages both domestic wholesale markets and international trade platforms, making it the primary bridge between Korean producers and overseas buyers.
aT functions under legal mandate to increase food exports, enhance food safety, manage agricultural pricing systems, and support rural economic development.
Core Functions and Services
aT provides a wide spectrum of trade and support services to Korean agri-food exporters, cooperatives, and SMEs. These services include:
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Export Promotion and Subsidies
- Financial support for packaging, logistics, market entry
- Participation subsidies for overseas exhibitions and trade shows
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International Marketing
- Brand promotion through K-Fresh and K-Food campaigns
- Retail promotions in target countries (e.g., in-store demos, tasting events)
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Trade Infrastructure
- Management of 32 domestic wholesale markets
- Export logistics support via cold chain systems and pre-export testing
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Global Market Intelligence
- Operation of KATI (Korea Agricultural Trade Information) platform
- Market trend reports, pricing analysis, MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) databases
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Global Buyer Engagement
- Matchmaking programs and B2B online platforms
- K-Fresh Zones at international supermarkets and food expos
Export Facilitation Impact
aT is responsible for the rapid growth of Korea's agri-food exports. According to government data:
- Total agri-food exports (2023): USD $12.2 billion
- Annual growth rate: 4.3% YoY increase from 2022
- Target export volume (2025): USD $15 billion
Key export product categories include:
- Fruits: Shine Muscat grapes, strawberries, pears
- Vegetables: Kimchi, paprika, garlic, mushrooms
- Seafood: Abalone, seaweed, tuna
- Processed foods: Ramyeon, snacks, sauces, beverages
- Health foods: Ginseng, red ginseng extract, herbal drinks
Top destination markets supported by aT include China, Japan, the United States, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.
Global Network and Infrastructure
aT maintains an expansive network of over 15 overseas branches and trade centers, including:
- Tokyo, Osaka
- Shanghai, Beijing
- Los Angeles, New York
- Bangkok
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Jakarta
- Dubai
- Paris
- Hong Kong
These offices facilitate real-time market engagement, buyer support, and localized promotional campaigns.
Additionally, aT operates domestic export logistics centers, including:
- Gimje Cold Chain Export Hub – Streamlines pre-cooling, inspection, and packing for fruit exports
- K-Popong Center – Specializes in perishable and temperature-sensitive produce
Key Programs and Initiatives
- K-Fresh Zone: Strategic placement of Korean fresh products in overseas retail chains
- K-Food Supporters: Global influencer and consumer ambassador network
- Export Academy: Training and mentoring for new agri-food exporters
- aT Center Seoul: Multi-use facility for exhibitions, buyer meetings, and media events
- Online Trade Platforms: Partnership with KATI and TradeKorea for B2B matching and digital catalogs
Strategic Goals and Development
aT is focused on four major strategic objectives for 2024–2027:
- Strengthen the Global Korean Food Brand
- Expand digital marketing and influencer engagement in target markets
- Increase Sustainable and ESG-Aligned Exports
- Promote eco-packaging, traceable supply chains, and GAP-certified farms
- Foster Agri-Tech and Processed Food Innovation
- Support R&D for food tech, health foods, and plant-based Korean cuisine
- Expand Export Capabilities of SMEs
- Empower rural producers and cooperatives through education and grants
Compliance and Certifications Support
aT provides exporters assistance in meeting international standards:
- HACCP and ISO Certification Programs
- GLOBALG.A.P. alignment
- Halal, Kosher, and Organic certification guidance
- MRL and pesticide residue testing support
- EU & US FDA registration consulting
Achievements and Global Recognition
- Recognized by the OECD and UN FAO for effective agricultural trade promotion
- Executed over 3,500 global promotional events in 2023
- Established K-Food promotional stores in over 40 global cities
- Supported the entry of 2,000+ Korean SMEs into international markets since 2020
Testimonials and Industry Feedback
Exporters regularly praise aT for its practical and impactful support:
- “We wouldn’t have entered the Japanese market without aT’s buyer matching and logistics help.” — Korean Fruit Exporter
- “Their market reports and in-store promotion programs doubled our exports to Southeast Asia.” — Processed Food Brand Owner
Retailers abroad commend aT’s professional execution of in-store campaigns, resulting in increased consumer recognition and sales of Korean food products.
Brands and Identity
aT operates under several trade identities:
- aT (Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp.)
- K-Food – Global branding for processed and fresh Korean foods
- K-Fresh – Branding for premium perishable agri-products
- KATI – Official agricultural trade information platform
Through these programs, aT ensures that Korean food is globally recognized for safety, quality, innovation, and authenticity.
