Bilans d’évènement • Comités
FKCCI Launches 2026 Food & Beverage Committee with Strategic Insights on Korea’s Market
On April 21, 2026, the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) successfully held the first Food & Beverage Committee meeting of the year at the FKCCI premises in Seoul, gathering members and industry leaders for a morning of market intelligence, strategic dialogue, and networking. This opening session carried particular significance as it took place during a milestone year marking the FKCCI’s 40th anniversary, reinforcing the Chamber’s long-standing role in supporting French business development in Korea.
Founded in 2018, the Food & Beverage Committee has become a valuable meeting point for French F&B professionals in Korea to exchange expertise, identify new opportunities, and strengthen connections across the sector. Under the leadership of Romuald Pieters, CEO of France Gourmet and President of the Committee, the initiative continues to promote French gastronomy while helping companies navigate one of Asia’s most dynamic consumer markets.
The session opened with welcoming remarks by Sonia Chaieb Kim, CEO of the FKCCI, alongside Romuald Pieters, who highlighted the importance of launching the 2026 committee agenda in such a symbolic year for the Chamber. Participants then benefited from an exclusive keynote presentation by Yoojin Cha, Head of Strategic Intelligence at Tridge, who delivered a data-driven overview of Korea’s evolving food and beverage landscape.
The presentation explored major trends shaping the Korean market in 2026, including changing consumer expectations, inflationary pressures, premiumization versus affordability, demographic shifts, growth in convenience-driven consumption, and rising interest in healthier alternatives such as low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages. Special attention was also given to the continued appetite for French products in Korea, with wine, butter, cream, ice cream, and cheese remaining among the country’s leading imports from France.
The morning continued with an interactive roundtable discussion where members shared recent market developments, business challenges, and expectations for the year ahead. The FKCCI also introduced several upcoming 2026 initiatives designed to support visibility and business growth for F&B members, including participation in the Seoul Food Festival, Bastille Day celebrations and COEX Food Week.
By bringing together market intelligence, peer exchange, and concrete business opportunities, the first Food & Beverage Committee of 2026 set a strong tone for the year ahead. In this special anniversary year, the FKCCI remains committed to supporting the growth of French excellence in Korea’s vibrant food and beverage market.
