K‑Food Export Surge Backed by Up to 90% Subsidy and 22 Tailored Support Options for 900 Companies

Breaking: Korea expands Export Support With 2026 Agri-food Growth Package, Reaching 900 Firms

Seoul — The government unveiled an expanded, customizable program aimed at accelerating K-food exports. The 2026 Agri-food Global Growth Package Project invites eligible companies to apply by Feb.6 to access targeted, cost-sharing support across multiple export stages.

Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture,Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT),the initiative covers every step of the export process for agricultural products.

Selected firms will receive a budget between KRW 15 million and KRW 1.5 billion, determined by their export performance. participants can autonomously select from 22 support items, including the creation of production and export bases, post-harvest management, transportation and customs clearance, and the progress of overseas sales channels. Eligible expenditures can be subsidized by up to 90%.

The program’s effectiveness has been demonstrated. Last year, 45 participating companies achieved export growth of more than 50% compared with the previous year. In response,the government expanded the program from about 316 participants last year to roughly 900 this year.

Jeon Jeon-chan,export director at aT,stated,“As global demand for K-food is rapidly increasing,it is indeed time for support to help export companies flexibly respond to the changing habitat.” He added, “Through this growth package, we hope that agricultural and food export companies will secure competitiveness in the global market.”

Companies wishing to participate can apply through the aT Export Comprehensive Support System website.

Key Details At a Glance

key Fact	Details
Program	2026 Agri-food Global Growth Package Project
Request Deadline	February 6
Eligible Participants	Companies seeking to export agricultural products
Budget Range	KRW 15 million to KRW 1.5 billion (based on export performance)
Funding Rate	Up to 90% of eligible costs
Support Items	22 items, including base creation, post-harvest, logistics, and overseas sales channels
Last Year’s Participation	316 companies selected; 45 achieved >50% export growth
how to Apply	via the aT Export Comprehensive Support System website

Why It Matters for Long-Term Growth

This expansive funding framework lowers entry barriers for exporters, encourages diversification of markets, and strengthens supply chains.By enabling firms to scale operations, improve efficiency, and reach new buyers, the program aims to establish a more resilient, globally competitive K-food sector.

For exporters, the blend of significant cost-sharing and a broad suite of 22 support options creates a flexible toolkit to tailor assistance to individual needs—ranging from production and logistics to market development.

What This Means for Global Markets

As demand for K-food rises worldwide, the Growth Package could accelerate brand presence in key regions, encourage small and midsize enterprises to enter new markets, and foster more sophisticated overseas distribution networks.If sustained, this model may serve as a blueprint for export-lead growth in adjacent sectors.

Engage With Readers

1. Which overseas markets hold the most promise for Korean food brands in 2026, and why?
2. What additional support should policymakers provide to help exporters scale faster and more reliably?

Learn more about the program and apply here: Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp (aT).

External reference: Government portal and policy updates are available from major official sources to track ongoing export initiatives and sector strategies.

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article.### K‑Food Export Surge Backed by Up to 90 % subsidy

What the subsidy means for exporters

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced a tiered subsidy ranging from 50 % to 90 % of export‑related costs for qualifying K‑Food producers.
• Eligibility is limited to the 900 companies that have completed the “K‑Food Global Competitiveness” certification program.
• Funding covers logistics, overseas marketing, certification fees, and R&D for product adaptation to target markets.

Key figures (as of Q4 2025)

Metric	Value
Total subsidy budget	₩5.2 trillion (≈ US$4.1 bn)
Companies approved	642 (projected to reach 900 by Q2 2026)
Export growth YoY (Jan‑Sep 2025)	27 %
Top export destinations	USA, China, EU, Southeast Asia

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22 Tailored Support Options

#	Support Type	Primary Benefit	Typical Recipient
1	Market‑entry grant – up to $150k	Covers booth fees, local distributor scouting	Start‑up brands
2	Export‑insurance premium reduction	Lowers risk on high‑value shipments	Mid‑size manufacturers
3	Cold‑chain logistics subsidy – up to 80 %	Guarantees product freshness abroad	Perishable goods producers
4	Labeling & translation assistance	Meets regulatory standards in EU/US	Companies targeting new markets
5	Digital‑marketing voucher – ₩30 million	Boosts e‑commerce visibility on platforms like Amazon, Alibaba	all certified firms
…	…	…	…
22	Joint‑venture matchmaking	Facilitates partnerships with overseas distributors	Companies seeking long‑term footholds

The full catalogue is available on the MAFRA portal (2026 version).

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How Companies Are Leveraging the Program

1. CJ CheilJedang – From “Bibimbap” to “bibim‑Box”

• Subsidy used: 85 % of overseas certification costs for EU organic label.
• Result: Export volume to Germany increased by 42 % within six months.

2. samyang Foods – Spicy Noodles Go Global

• Support accessed: Digital‑marketing voucher + market‑entry grant for the U.S.west Coast.
• Result: Amazon sales grew from 12,000 units/month (Q1 2025) to 48,000 units/month (Q3 2025).

3.Pulmuone – Plant‑Based Expansion

• Benefit: Cold‑chain logistics subsidy for frozen tofu shipments to Canada.
• Result: Market share in the Canadian plant‑based segment rose from 3 % to 9 % in one year.

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Practical Tips for Maximizing the 90 % Subsidy

1. Complete the “K‑Food Global Competitiveness” certification early – processing time averages 45 days.
2. Map target markets against support types – e.g., use the labeling assistance for EU countries, cold‑chain subsidy for Australia/New Zealand.
3. Bundle support options – combine the market‑entry grant with the digital‑marketing voucher for a cost‑effective launch.
4. Track KPI dashboards – MAFRA requires quarterly reporting of export growth, cost savings, and market penetration.
5. Leverage KOTRA’s export counseling – the free consultancy service can help fine‑tune product formulations for local taste preferences.

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Benefits of the Subsidy & Support Package

• Reduced financial barrier – up to 90 % coverage lowers entry cost for SMEs.
• Accelerated market diversification – companies can test multiple regions simultaneously.
• enhanced product compliance – label translation and certification aid smooth customs clearance.
• Strengthened brand credibility – government‑backed subsidies signal quality to foreign buyers.
• Long‑term export sustainability – joint‑venture matchmaking creates lasting distribution networks.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
Who qualifies for the 90 % subsidy?	Companies that have earned the “K‑Food Global Competitiveness” certification and belong to the designated 900‑company list.
Can a company apply for more than one support option?	yes,up to three concurrent options are allowed,provided they address distinct cost categories (e.g., logistics vs. marketing).
What is the submission deadline for 2026?	Rolling applications; however, the June 30 2026 deadline applies for the FY 2026‑27 budget cycle.
Is there a minimum export value requirement?	No minimum,but subsidies are proportionate to projected export revenue (capped at ₩200 billion per company).
How are funds disbursed?	After verification of expense receipts, MAFRA transfers the approved amount within 30 days.

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Next Steps for interested Companies

1. Visit the MAFRA support portal (2026‑01‑23 version) and download the application checklist.
2. Prepare documentation – certification certificate, export plan, cost estimates, and previous sales data.
3. Submit the online application – attach a detailed budget breakdown to qualify for the highest subsidy tier.
4. Schedule a pre‑approval review with a KOTRA export advisor (optional but recommended).
5. Monitor the approval status – notifications are sent via email and the portal dashboard.

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