![Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Mi-ryeong (right) speaks at a Cabinet meeting held at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday, on emergency state affairs management and response measures related to the Middle East war. [Yoon Chang-bin]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/07/15/9/news-p.v1.20260707.7ee42954932e4995b80028be0b4935fd_P1.jpg)
South Korea's largest agri-food startup fair, showcasing innovative AI-driven technologies from the sector, opened Wednesday.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Minister Song Mi-ryeong attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 Agri-Food Tech Startup Fair (AFPRO 2026) at COEX in Seoul, where she reviewed AI technologies developed by participating companies and heard from exhibitors on the ground.
This year's fair brings together 195 agri-food startups and more than 20 investment firms and retailers. Technologies on display span smart agriculture, food tech, green biotech and pet tech, with AI-powered agricultural robots among the highlights.
A new addition this year is a dedicated AX pavilion spotlighting AI applications, featuring technologies used across the agri-food sector — from customized food manufacturing to companion animal health management.
Alongside the technology exhibition, a series of programs to help startups attract investment and expand their market reach — including investment consultations, IR sessions and talk concerts — will run through Friday.
"The agri-food industry offers a wide range of applications for AI, spanning production, retail, disaster response and everyday life," Song said. "I hope this fair serves as a gateway for outstanding technologies to secure investment, open new markets and enter the global stage."
adastra@heraldcorp.com
