Fostering Global K-Consumer Goods Companies in Cosmetics, Fashion, and Food... Targeting $70 Billion in Exports by 2030

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Announces "Plan to Expand K-Consumer Goods Exports"
Strengthening Hallyu-Linked Marketing, Building Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Platforms
Expanding Trade Finance and Financial Support

The government has announced plans to foster K-consumer goods-including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, daily necessities, and apparel-as the next-generation export growth engine. To achieve this, it will strengthen Hallyu-linked marketing to expand markets, support the growth of small-scale and domestic-oriented businesses, and improve distribution and logistics channels specialized for consumer goods, such as cross-border e-commerce. The goal is to increase K-consumer goods exports to USD 70 billion by 2030.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy unveiled these measures in the “Plan for Expanding K-Consumer Goods Exports,” which was announced at the Economic Ministers’ Meeting and the Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Ministers’ Meeting held on December 24.

At a cosmetics shopping mall in Myeongdong, Seoul, mostly foreign customers are selecting cosmetics. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

An official from the Ministry explained, “Through a series of relay meetings with consumer goods companies, we identified export challenges. Companies expressed the need for support in areas such as marketing, logistics, certification, and intellectual property rights, all tailored to consumer goods.” The official added, “Accordingly, the government has prepared support measures focusing on resolving key challenges in marketing, logistics, and certification, as well as nurturing premium K-consumer goods companies.”

First, the government will focus on fostering premium K-consumer goods companies with global competitiveness. Noting that 91% of domestic consumer goods companies are micro or small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, the government recognized the need for a “Corporate Growth Project” to help these companies secure mid- to long-term competitiveness and grow into global consumer goods enterprises. Through the “K-Consumer Goods Flagship Project (2026-2028),” which supports the joint overseas expansion of distribution networks and consumer goods companies, the government plans to cultivate leading K-consumer goods exporters. In addition, a new consultative body will be established to strengthen the linkage of consumer goods support projects across ministries, ensuring that cross-ministerial support for R&D, production, and design innovation is focused on corporate growth.

To expand strategic entry into promising markets, the government will enhance support for entering major overseas online platforms. Through the “One Distribution Channel-One Trade Office Project,” the government will also support the entry of 1,000 companies into local online and offline distribution networks. A consultative body utilizing Official Development Assistance (ODA)-including KOTRA, Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, and the Korea International Trade Association-will be formed to explore entry into potential markets, such as developing K-food relief products. Furthermore, to help export companies secure liquidity, the government will expand trade insurance for K-consumer goods companies and promote preferential loan rates and increased guarantee limits through the creation of new cooperative finance programs between export platform companies and their partner companies.

The government will also strengthen premium marketing for K-consumer goods linked to Hallyu. To expand Hallyu fandom into K-consumer goods fandom, it will host a “Hallyu Expo” combining K-pop performances with K-consumer goods experiences. Permanent exhibition and experience centers linked to K-culture will be established overseas (UAE) and domestically (COEX) to improve accessibility for foreign consumers. In addition, new support will be provided for installing “pop-up stores” in Hallyu hubs to spread K-trend experiences.

The government will expand efforts to discover K-consumer goods buyers through domestic and international exhibitions. By hosting the “K-Premium Consumer Goods Fair” in five overseas cities and supporting participation in major consumer goods exhibitions with a “Korea Pavilion,” the government will assist the marketing of 3,000 consumer goods companies. For overseas buyers visiting Korea for export consultations, the government will operate a “K-Consumer Goods Showcase” within the consultation events and offer Hallyu-linked experience programs to further promote and provide hands-on experiences of K-consumer goods.

Support for distribution and logistics specialized in consumer goods exports will also be expanded. To activate cross-border e-commerce for overseas consumers, the government will support the establishment of global online malls equipped with websites, apps, and overseas service centers. For small and medium-sized companies that have difficulty building their own online malls, the government will support overseas payment and delivery services by linking them with cross-border e-commerce agencies, and will operate a “Foreign Cross-Border E-Commerce Customer Experience Group” to further supplement and improve such services.

In 10 major overseas regions, “K-Consumer Goods Logistics Desks” will be established to provide support services such as product collection, quality inspection, repackaging, and reshipment for returns and exchanges. The number of overseas joint logistics centers in key consumer goods regions will be increased from 302 this year to 322 next year, and logistics infrastructure tailored to the characteristics of consumer goods, such as returns and expiration dates, will be further strengthened. The maximum amount of logistics support through export vouchers will also be raised from 30 million won to 60 million won.

The government will continue to address export challenges related to overseas certification and non-tariff barriers. A “Consumer Goods Certification Support Team” will be established within the National Institute of Technology and Standards’ Overseas Certification Support Group to provide one-on-one tailored support for export companies. “Consumer Goods Certification Support Desks” will be set up in 20 trade offices in major and emerging countries to enhance local response through cooperation with local experts.

Support for overseas certification costs and product labeling through export vouchers will be expanded, and an “AI-based Integrated Information System for Overseas Certification and Technical Regulations” will be established to provide chatbot consultations and reporting services. To support entry into halal markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the government will offer online and offline halal certification consultations and consulting services, launch training programs for halal specialists, and newly designate 10 specialized halal trading companies.

Additionally, to proactively address the growing proliferation of non-tariff barriers in various countries, the government will publish a “Korean Trade Barriers (NTE) Report” and actively resolve export challenges for Korean companies through intergovernmental consultations. Intellectual property protection will also be strengthened by expanding support for legal costs related to securing IP rights and preventing or responding to disputes for export companies.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan stated, “As the need for export diversification grows amid changes in the global trade environment, the worldwide spread of K-culture is providing new opportunities for our consumer goods exports. To lay the foundation for achieving USD 70 billion in K-consumer goods exports by 2030, we will swiftly implement the measures announced today and continue to identify and provide necessary support for our companies through close communication with the field.”