The 8th International Rural Convergence Industry Expo (Fupafe Jeju 2026), where clean agricultural products, food tech, and smart agriculture can be found together, opened on the 23rd at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC Jeju). The expo will run for four days until the 26th.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Jeju Province, and organized by the Jeju Agricultural and Rural Development Institute's Jeju Rural Convergence Industry Support Center, this event is the only international expo for rural convergence industries in Korea. 'Fupafe Jeju (Food tech & Farming @ JEJU Fair)' is a name combining food tech, farming plus, and Jeju fair, introducing the latest industry trends and future visions. In particular, this year's event has expanded its duration and scale to offer an even wider variety of exhibitions and experience programs.

The opening ceremony was attended by key figures including Park Cheon-su, Deputy Governor of Jeju Province; Jeon Han-young, Director General of the Rural Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Kim Seung-joon, Vice Chair of the Jeju Provincial Council; Kang Chung-ryong, Chair of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Economy Committee of the Jeju Provincial Council; and Kang Seung-jin, Chairman of the Jeju Agricultural and Rural Development Institute.

Deputy Governor Park Cheon-su stated, "This expo is a venue for exchange where the future of rural convergence industries, food tech, and smart agriculture can be witnessed, and where companies and buyers can create new opportunities," adding, "We will continue to work hard to enhance the competitiveness of Jeju's rural convergence industry and establish a new growth foundation for agriculture."

Committee Chair Kang Chung-ryong said, "I expect the rural convergence industry to serve as a new breakthrough for Jeju agriculture, which is facing difficulties due to the climate crisis, high prices, and the outflow of the youth population," adding, "The council will also spare no effort in providing policy and budgetary support."

At the opening ceremony, Jeju-born creator 'Hibap' presented a large-scale bibimbap performance using Jeju agricultural products and spent time communicating with the audience.

Approximately 130 companies and institutions, including certified rural convergence industry companies, young farmers, and local businesses, are participating in this expo, operating around 120 exhibition and experience booths. A theme zone titled 'A Day Living in Jeju' has been set up at the venue, reimagining Jeju's rural convergence industry as an everyday experience. Various experience spaces such as a morning market, daytime farm, and evening dining table, along with special pavilions for young farmers and young entrepreneurs, are in operation.

At the Food Tech and Digital Agriculture Pavilion, future agricultural technology exhibitions and demonstrations are taking place, and distribution and export consultation meetings are also being held to expand domestic and international sales channels. Around 100 domestic and international companies are participating to discuss cooperation measures with certified business entities for export and distribution.

On the second day of the event, the 24th, an international forum will be held under the theme of 'A Great Transition in K-Rural Convergence Industry in the Era of AI and AX.' The forum will focus on discussing development strategies for rural convergence industries utilizing AI and digital transformation.