Sejong Techno Park, led by President Yang Hyun-bong, successfully wrapped up global market expansion and export promotion activities for four local enterprises participating in the Sejong Regional Enterprise Growth Ladder (Export Leap) Support Program at 'Vitafoods Asia 2026,' held from September 2 to 4 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand.

As Asia's premier health and functional food industry exhibition, Vitafoods Asia serves as a comprehensive global business platform showcasing the latest industry trends across functional ingredients, dietary supplements, food, and beverages. The prominent trade show draws over 700 enterprises and 20,000 buyers and industry professionals from more than 80 countries worldwide, offering vital opportunities for global market entry and strategic business partnerships.

Four prominent Sejong-based companies participated in the exhibition to showcase their competitive flagship products and advanced technologies to global buyers: Bondi, EPO-A Co., Ltd., Korea Health Food Research Institute Co., Ltd., and Pure Co., Ltd.

To maximize tangible export outcomes for participating firms, Sejong Techno Park implemented a comprehensive, step-by-step support framework prior to the exhibition. This included export capability diagnostics, customized one-on-one corporate consulting, customs education, the production of Thailand-market-tailored product catalogs, and targeted sample shipments to prospective buyers. Furthermore, to elevate on-site consultations into concrete business negotiations, the agency conducted proactive pre-exhibition buyer sourcing and matching, including 12 preliminary online video consultations that established initial touchpoints between local companies and international buyers.

During the event, participating firms engaged in active consultations not only with pre-matched and requested global buyers but also with newly discovered prospects on the exhibition floor.

The comprehensive efforts yielded remarkable results. The four participating companies conducted a total of 83 export consultations, recording a cumulative consultation value of 9.43 million USD, with estimated contract-in-progress values reaching approximately 3 million USD. Additionally, the companies successfully signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements valued at 220,000 USD.

Beyond the impressive quantitative outcomes, the exhibition generated substantial qualitative achievements, including enhancing the global brand awareness of Sejong-based enterprises and their product portfolios, securing new international buyer networks, and confirming strong market viability within Thailand and the broader Asian region.

Building on this momentum, Sejong Techno Park plans to provide continuous follow-up management to ensure that active consultations translate into finalized export contracts. The agency will monitor post-negotiation progress and deliver subsequent linked support programs to nurture promising buyer relationships.

A representative from Sejong Techno Park noted that Vitafoods Asia acts as a critical gateway for regional enterprises to grasp global health and functional food trends and connect directly with international buyers. The official emphasized that the agency will reinforce follow-up assistance to turn buyer demand and consultation outcomes into actual export contracts, empowering Sejong-based enterprises to achieve a higher tier of global market penetration.

Complementary Background and Industry Context

To fully contextualize the significance of Sejong Techno Park’s initiative, it is essential to examine the strategic importance of the Thai market and the broader trajectory of the Asian functional food industry. Thailand has rapidly emerged as the health and wellness hub of Southeast Asia, driven by an aging demographic, rising disposable incomes, and a heightened post-pandemic consumer focus on preventive healthcare and nutritional wellness. The Thai government’s proactive promotion of the medical and wellness tourism sectors has further accelerated domestic demand for high-quality functional ingredients and dietary supplements.

By targeting Vitafoods Asia, which alternates its flagship events or maintains strong regional strongholds, Sejong Techno Park strategically positioned its portfolio companies in a high-growth ecosystem. South Korean health functional foods have historically enjoyed a stellar reputation across Asia due to stringent safety standards, innovative formulations, and exceptional quality control. Brands specializing in customized nutrition, plant-based extracts, and functional beverages find particularly fertile ground among Southeast Asian consumers who increasingly favor K-Wellness products.

Furthermore, the "Growth Ladder" export support framework utilized by Sejong Techno Park mirrors successful regional development models in South Korea. By bridging the gap between localized R&D/manufacturing capabilities and global commercialization, regional techno parks play a vital role in transforming small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into competitive global exporters. The transition from digital marketing and pre-sourcing to on-the-ground B2B matching reduces the financial and logistical risks typically associated with international trade expansion for smaller enterprises.

Moving forward, as consumer demand for personalized nutrition and immunity-boosting products continues to expand globally, initiatives like the Sejong delegation's participation in Vitafoods Asia provide a vital blueprint for regional economic vitality. Sustained institutional backing, coupled with rigorous follow-up diplomacy and digital trade infrastructure, will remain paramount in converting initial trade show momentum into long-term commercial success in competitive international arenas.

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