PARIS, France – South Korea’s most influential consumer brands are making a major impact in Europe as the 2026 Paris K-Premium Consumer Goods Expo opens with its largest scale ever, showcasing the growing global demand for K-Beauty, K-Food, and emerging K-Halal products.
Organized by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the three-day event began on June 18 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and will run through June 20. Since its launch in 2023, the expo has become a key platform for introducing Korean consumer products to European markets.
Europe Emerges as a Major Growth Market for Korean Brands
Europe is now South Korea’s third-largest export market after China and the United States. Fueled by the continuing popularity of Korean culture worldwide, demand for Korean consumer goods has surged across the continent.
The growth of K-Beauty in France has been particularly impressive. South Korea’s cosmetics exports to France reached approximately $134 million last year, representing a remarkable 73.2% year-over-year increase. The trend highlights the increasing appeal of Korean skincare innovations and beauty products in one of the world’s most competitive beauty markets.
Largest Expo in Event History
This year’s exhibition features 185 Korean companies, making it the biggest edition of the Paris event to date.
Visitors can explore a wide variety of products, including:
- Advanced skincare solutions
- Functional cosmetics
- Makeup and color cosmetics
- Instant noodles and snacks
- Korean sauces and seasonings
- Seaweed and traditional food products
- Lifestyle and household goods
More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend throughout the event.
Connecting Korean Brands with European Buyers
To generate meaningful business opportunities, KITA invited over 200 distributors and retail buyers from 15 European countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands.
The organization has arranged more than 500 one-on-one B2B business meetings, helping Korean companies expand their presence across Europe and establish new export partnerships.
K-Halal Products Target Europe’s Growing Muslim Market
One of the major highlights of this year’s exhibition is the dedicated K-Halal Promotion Pavilion.
With the global halal consumer goods import market estimated at around $400 billion, Korean companies are increasingly developing halal-certified products to appeal to Muslim consumers worldwide. The Paris expo serves as an important gateway to Europe’s expanding halal market.
Korean Culture Experience Attracts Visitors
Beyond business opportunities, the event offers visitors a chance to experience Korean culture firsthand through:
- Korean cooking classes
- K-Food contests
- Traditional games such as Yutnori and Gonggi
- Interactive cultural programs
Adding to the excitement, singer and actor Jinyoung of GOT7 is scheduled to visit the venue, drawing attention from K-pop fans and consumers alike.
Global Expansion Continues
According to KITA Vice Chairman Lee In-ho, the Paris exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for Korean small and medium-sized enterprises to connect with high-purchasing-power European consumers.
KITA plans to continue expanding the K-Premium Consumer Goods Expo series throughout 2026, with upcoming events scheduled in:
- Tokyo, Japan
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Paris, France
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Los Angeles, United States
The initiative reflects South Korea’s broader strategy to strengthen the global presence of Korean consumer brands and capitalize on the worldwide popularity of Korean culture.
Why This Matters
The record-breaking scale of the 2026 Paris K-Premium Consumer Goods Expo demonstrates that K-Beauty and K-Food are no longer niche trends. As Korean brands diversify into sectors such as halal-certified products and lifestyle goods, Europe is becoming one of the most important growth engines for the next wave of Korean exports.
KOREA FBI Editor’s Comment
Paris is proving that the Korean Wave is evolving beyond entertainment into a powerful consumer movement. From innovative skincare products to globally loved Korean foods and halal-friendly offerings, Korean brands are successfully transforming cultural popularity into sustainable international business growth. As Europe’s interest in Korean lifestyle products continues to expand, events like the Paris K-Premium Consumer Goods Expo are becoming essential gateways for the future of K-commerce.
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