TOKYO -- Nutrition bars produced by Korean food company Organica Premium Whole Foods joined a lineup of Japanese products on display at the 50th Tokyo Supermarket Trade Show held here last week.

“Made almost entirely of nuts, along with super foods such as Quinoa, our Honest Bars are designed to provide quick energy for consumers on the go,” said Choi Jung-hwi, CEO of Organica, which participated in the three-day event that kicked off on Feb.10. 

Honest Bars were among the few Korean items displayed by Japanese vendors. Exports of the bars to Japan are scheduled to begin in March this year.

Nearly 200 Japanese food retailers took part in the trade show, which many believe outshines the annual Tokyo Food Exposition held every March.

“A growing number of retailers in Japan seem to view the Supermarket Trade Show as the next big thing,” said a sales executive of Hanamasa, a large supermarket chain in Japan.

On display were items from well-known Japanese firms such as Overseas, the export arm of Kaldi, a major importer in Japan, Seijo Ishii and Asahi Shoji. A number of Korean firms also set up booths in a section designated for Korea.

The show was launched at Tokyo International Exhibition Center, also known as Tokyo Big Site, where large-scale conventions such as food and motor shows are often held.

Organica Premium Whole Foods is an affiliate of Herald Corp. that supplies natural and organic products.


By Kim Ji-hyun, Korea Herald correspondent (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)