The Agri & Food Tech Start-up Rising Expo 2023 (AFRO 2023), held in July 2023 at Coex Hall A. was a three-day extravaganza that brought together the best and brightest minds in the agri-food industry. The event was organized by Coex, the Korean Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency, the Korea FoodTech Council and Nonghyup.
The expo’s core focus was on the convergence of high-tech technologies within the agricultural and food sectors. Under the themes of AgTech, FoodTech, and Green Bio, this revolutionary event showcased cutting-edge innovations that promised to transform the future of agriculture and food production.
AgTech, also known as Smart Agriculture, presented solutions that combined IT, AI, digitalization, and big data with agriculture. It aimed to address critical challenges such as global warming, aging populations, and labor shortages. Startups showcased their automatic and unmanned equipment, including harvest robots and advanced control systems, paving the way for a new era in agricultural practices.
FoodTech emerged as a new industry that integrated high-tech technologies throughout the entire food production, distribution, and consumption process. With the changing food consumption trends post-COVID-19, the Food Tech sector experienced rapid development and anticipated remarkable growth. The expo featured startups unveiling alternative foods, customized/specialty foods, and even cooking and serving robots that aimed to revolutionize food services.
Green Bio startups sought to create new value for agriculture and its related industries. By applying biotechnology to agricultural resources, they promised improved productivity and the development of new materials. Innovations in areas like microorganisms (fertilizers, pesticides, feeds, fermentation), natural products/food materials, and veterinary medicine showcased the potential to revolutionize agriculture’s front and rear industries.In line with the global trend of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management, AgTech and FoodTech demonstrated their commitment to overcoming the climate crisis, addressing rural and social challenges, and developing sustainable materials for the future. These practices aligned with the growing demand for sustainable solutions across industries worldwide.
—
About Coex
Since opening in 1979, Coex has been Korea’s busiest and most prominent convention and exhibition center. Located in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam district, Coex serves as the city’s top venue for global exchange, business, exhibitions, and conferences, as well as a space to find leisure, recreation, and top accommodation. Coex, as the leading event organizer, offers event planners a multitude of services both onsite and beyond, including the organizing of trade shows, event management and external venue management and operations.
Visit www.coexcenter.com for more information about Coex Organized Exhibitions
