Following a 19% growth in 2025, a dedicated trade delegation from the Aegean regions heads to Seoul to strengthen ties with 40 major Korean importers.
The Aegean region’s food sector continues its impressive streak in the global market, reaching a record export valuation of $172 million in 2025. Building on this momentum, the Aegean Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, and Products Exporters’ Association (EHBYİB) has launched a strategic trade mission to Seoul, South Korea, to further expand Türkiye’s footprint in the Far East.
According to data from the Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EİB), food exports, which stood at $145 million in 2024 (a 34% increase from the previous year), rose by another 19% in 2025. This steady growth underscores the rising international demand for Aegean agricultural products, specifically in high-value niches.
The Seoul Mission: Direct Engagement with 40 Importers Starting January 13, 2026, a delegation of nine leading companies from the Aegean region will participate in a trade program in Seoul. Organized under the Supporting International Competitiveness (UR-GE) project, the mission aims to facilitate one-on-one B2B meetings between Turkish producers and approximately 40 major South Korean importers.
Muhammet Öztürk, President of EHBYİB, noted that the mission was sparked by a visit from South Korean officials last September. “A Korean delegation visited Türkiye to research potential suppliers of dried fruits, oils, and flour. We decided to take the initiative and go directly to them to introduce our firms and meet high-volume buyers,” Öztürk explained.
Strategic Market: Why South Korea? South Korea represents a sophisticated market for Turkish exporters due to its high purchasing power and increasing interest in healthy, Mediterranean-style diets. The three-day mission will focus on:
- Olive Oil and Vegetable Oils: Meeting the demand for premium cooking oils.
- Dried Fruits and Nuts: A staple of Aegean production highly valued in Korean snacks and baking.
- Flour and Cereals: Identifying new supply chains for Korea’s diverse food processing industry.
A Proven Strategy for Growth The Aegean region’s focus on South Korea is part of a broader “Asia-Pacific Pivot” by Turkish exporters. Industry experts believe that face-to-face trade delegations are the most effective way to build the trust necessary for long-term contracts in the Korean business culture. With the momentum gained in 2025, EHBYİB anticipates that these new business connections could push the 2026 export figures toward the $200 million mark.
Citations & References
- EİB (Aegean Exporters’ Associations): “2025 Year-End Food and Agricultural Products Export Performance Report.” (January 2026).
- Anadolu Agency (AA): “Egeli gıda ihracatçıları Güney Kore pazarını radarına aldı” (Reported January 12, 2026).
- TİM (Turkish Exporters Assembly): Foreign trade statistics for the Cereals, Pulses, and Oilseeds sector (2024-2025).
- KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency): Insights on Turkish food product imports in the South Korean market.
