Saemangeum Global Food Hub Symposium in Seoul, Korea
Following the Netherlands' commitment to support South Korea in developing a food hub in the reclaimed land of Saemangeum, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands held a comprehensive symposium on 28 May. Key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and scholars from notable universities, gathered and shared their knowledge and opinions on the importance of advanced agro-logistics and opportunities in Saemangeum as a food hub.
Opportunities in Saemangeum
Saemangeum, South Korea's largest reclamation project, originally intended for 100% agricultural use, now focuses on becoming an economic hub due to growing urban development demands. In collaboration with Jeonbuk province, the Korean government aims to create a global food hub near the new seaport to boost imports and exports of agrifood products. Inspired by the port of Rotterdam, the project seeks to improve local agro-logistics, particularly in post-harvest management and cold storage, to support both local and international markets. This development aligns with South Korea's efforts to enhance its food security and export potential, particularly for exporting fresh vegetables to nearby Asian countries.
WFBR's feasibility studies and master planning for the food hub in Saemangeum
In this reclaimed land of Saemangeum, an extensive estuarine area on the Yellow Sea coast, the Korean government commissioned Wageningen Food and Biobased Research (WFBR) in December 2023 as the institute to conduct a feasibility study for the envisaged food hub. WFBR will lead a one-year project focusing on feasibility studies and master planning, utilizing Dutch expertise in agro-logistics, trade, post-harvest management, and cold chain logistics. This initiative marks the first time a foreign research institute has been commissioned for such a study in South Korea. With a budget of around 700,000 euros, the project aims to enhance South Korea's agricultural logistics capabilities and establish Saemangeum as a key player in the global agrifood market.
Saemangeum Global Food Hub Symposium
On Tuesday, 28 May, the LAN-team of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted Saemangeum Global Food Hub Symposium with Sejong University while researchers from Wageningen Food & Biobased Research visited Korea for further study. It was an event aimed at discussing the development of Saemangeum as a key global food hub. It featured opening remarks from Tae Pyong Jang, Chairman of the Special Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Affairs, and Peter van der Vliet, Ambassador of the Netherlands. The symposium included presentations on the overview and strategic plans for Saemangeum by Jinhoo Kim from Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency and Professor Chang Gil Kim from Seoul National University, respectively. Joost Snels from Wageningen University shared the food hub concept and agro-logistics. Insights into promising agrifood products and market analysis by Professor Jeong Bin Im and Han Soethoudt followed this. The symposium also covered logistics infrastructure and grain trade status in Korea, presented by Professor Yongjin Kim, and the Dutch private sector's role in agro-logistics by Rick Nobel, the Agricultural Counsellor. The event concluded with a panel discussion chaired by Professor Chang Gil Kim, involving key stakeholders, government officials, and scholars. The panel received notable questions/opinions from students and industry leaders on the floor.
This collaborative effort aims to establish Saemangeum as a global food hub, inspired by the successful model of the port of Rotterdam. This initiative not only underscores the importance of advanced agro-logistics in supporting South Korea's food security but also highlights the growing international cooperation in the agrifood sector.
Saemangeum Global Food Hub Symposium 2024
