Korea Expo Paris 2026 Achieves $1.38 Million in Export Contracts for K-Brands

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 20th that it participated in the 'Korea Expo Paris 2026' held from the 18th to the 20th in Paris, France, with 15 local SMEs. The expo facilitated 300 export consultations, culminating in a consultation value of $5.9 million, with contract prospects amounting to $1.38 million. This achievement underscores the growing interest in K-brands within the European market, particularly in sectors like beauty, food, and lifestyle.

This year marks the fourth installment of the Korea Expo, which serves as a key platform for showcasing South Korea's outstanding consumer goods and cultural content across Europe. Given France's position as a strategic entry point into the EU market, where demand for Korean cultural products is robust, this exhibition aligns with ongoing trends in consumer interest and market expansion.

According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, exports of four promising consumer goods from SMEs—including cosmetics, fashion and apparel, agri-food products, and children's goods—amounted to $9.58 billion from January to May, a 16.4% increase from the previous year. Notably, the European market has experienced a significant growth trajectory of 39.6%. In response, Gyeonggi Province operated a dedicated exhibition space to bolster local SMEs' entry into European markets and support international distribution channels.

The Gyeonggi Pavilion provided various support mechanisms for participating companies, including dedicated interpreters, buyer consultations, and market information, aimed at generating tangible export results. The province plans to continue support post-exhibition, focusing on buyer connections and export consulting to ensure sustained momentum in international markets.

Among the participating companies, Libemi Corporation from Namyangju is pushing forward with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a local French distributor, aiming for an initial contract valued at approximately €3,500. The company also noted strong interest from local buyers in Korean beauty products, identifying a significant demand for solutions addressing skin issues like acne, freckles, and blemishes. This insight will guide their product development strategy and localization efforts to meet the specific needs of the French market.

Park Kyung-seo, head of the International Trade Division at Gyeonggi Province, emphasized that the Korea Expo Paris serves as a crucial platform for elevating the competitiveness of K-brands in Europe. He stated, "We will actively support the entry of local businesses into the European market and the expansion of exports based on the buyer networks established through this exhibition." This commitment underscores the strategic role of such expos in facilitating a marketplace for collaboration and growth for SMEs.