AFPRO 2026 opens in Seoul with 195 startups and new AX pavilion

South Korea's flagship agrifood startup expo opened July 15 at COEX in Seoul with 195 startups, 369 booths and a new AX Special Pavilion focused on Physical AI and autonomous farm robotics. The three-day event runs through July 17 and includes 21 side programs aimed at investment, global expansion and industry partnerships.

Why it matters: - AFPRO 2026 is South Korea’s largest agrifood startup showcase to date, signaling stronger government and industry support for agtech, foodtech and greenbio companies. - The event is designed to connect startups with investors, major companies and overseas partners, which can speed up commercialization and market expansion. - KOAT is using the expo’s new AX Special Pavilion to push AI adoption in farming and broader digital transformation across domestic agriculture.

What happened: - The 2026 Agri & Food Tech Start-up Rising Expo opened Wednesday, July 15, at COEX Hall C in Seoul. - The three-day event is hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and co-organized by the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency, NH Nonghyup and COEX. - AFPRO 2026 runs through July 17. - This year’s expo features 195 startups across agtech, foodtech and greenbio, spread across 369 booths. - The program includes a newly launched AX Special Pavilion focused on Physical AI, autonomous agricultural robotics and smart farming solutions.

The details: - Startups are showing technologies including big-data AI tools, smart farming hardware, autonomous agricultural robots and functional food products. - The AX Special Pavilion centers on the theme “Expanding the Future of Agrifood Technology through Physical AI.” - The pavilion highlights AI-driven smart farming systems and multi-purpose agricultural robots that can assess environmental conditions and carry out physical tasks. - KOAT aims to use the pavilion to accelerate digital transformation and expand AI use in domestic agriculture. - AFPRO 2026 also includes 21 auxiliary business programs. - Key sessions include the NH Investment Roadshow, the Global Accelerating Support Program Demo Day, the Agrifood Technology Briefing, the UNIDO ITPO Korea Emerging Market Entry Strategy Seminar and open innovation sessions. - The open innovation events are intended to link large companies and SMEs while helping startups reach global markets.

Between the lines: - The expo’s scale suggests agrifood startups are moving from pilot-stage experimentation toward more investment-ready commercial models. - The emphasis on Physical AI shows a shift from simple data monitoring to machines that can act in the field, not just measure conditions. - Government backing from MAFRA signals that agrifood technology remains a policy priority, especially for startup growth and food-system competitiveness. - Over the past three years, AFPRO has generated 34.6 billion KRW in cumulative investment, 41.8 billion KRW in sales and 110 new jobs.

What's next: - Startups will use the expo’s meetings and demos to pursue funding, partnerships and overseas entry opportunities. - KOAT and MAFRA are likely to continue promoting AI-based agrifood technologies through future AFPRO programs and related support channels. - Minister Mi-ryung Song said the ministry will keep listening to field feedback and remain a reliable partner for agrifood startups.