KOTRA Launches One-Stop Logistics Support for K-Food Exports to U.S.

KOTRA is rolling out a program to help South Korean food companies enter the U.S. market by providing integrated logistics support through its trade office in Los Angeles. The initiative, called the one-stop logistics support program for supplying U.S. specialty food distributors, aims to widen K-food's export channels to the United States by consolidating support for weak logistics infrastructure, including customs clearance and refrigerated and frozen transport.

KOTRA said on the 24th that it will provide close support across the entire logistics cycle — including local import customs clearance, warehouse storage and cold-chain inland transport — for South Korean food companies seeking to enter the U.S. market, working through its K-Consumer Goods Logistics Desks operating at 10 sites worldwide. At the same time, it will offer one-stop linked support extending to local B2B marketing aimed at direct supply to large distribution networks.

Building on this support system, KOTRA held the "Taste of Korea 2026" showcase near Los Angeles on the 22nd, local time, with JFC International, North America's largest Asian food distributor. Six South Korean food companies took part, presenting products such as frozen gimbap, desserts and protein powder, while about 500 representatives from major distribution chains, restaurants and hotels sampled the products and considered purchases. JFC is an affiliate of Japan's well-known soy sauce brand Kikkoman Group and a large wholesale and distribution company that supplies products to some 10,000 stores across North America, including major distribution networks such as Walmart, Kroger and Safeway. A JFC official said U.S. consumer demand for Korean food is steadily expanding, making logistics competitiveness essential to local market growth. The official added that the partnership will allow the company to supply more Korean food to local consumers through its distribution network going forward.

Lee Keum-ha, head of KOTRA's North America regional headquarters, said the K-Consumer Goods Logistics Desks have created a one-stop bridgehead through which Korean companies can stably enter the largest Asian food distribution network in the United States. The official added that KOTRA will continue to combine logistics infrastructure with tailored marketing to actively support the diversification of Korean companies' export channels and help them expand into various local distribution networks.