Al Khayyat Investments (AKI), through its consumer division, AKI Consumer, has entered a strategic partnership with South Korea’s CJ Group to expand K-food’s footprint across the Middle East. The agreement, formalised during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to the UAE, underscores a growing economic alignment between the two nations.
K-food expansion
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was exchanged in Abu Dhabi by Zaid S. Al Khayyat, Managing Director of AKI, and Sukjoon Lee, Vice Chairman of CJ Group. The ceremony was attended by Kim Jung Kwan, South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade.
Under the agreement, AKI Consumer and CJ Foods will collaborate to introduce a broader range of K-food products across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and wider regional markets. The two organisations will also explore joint product development and local manufacturing opportunities within the UAE, supporting national priorities including food security, economic diversification, and strengthened domestic production capabilities.
CJ Group is actively stepping up efforts to expand its global footprint, Lee said a statement, adding: “The Middle East, in particular, is a strategic priority region for this growth. We look forward to creating meaningful synergies with our partner AKI, especially in K-food as well as across a wide range of other business areas.”
Al Khayyat added: “The demand for K-Food in our region is expanding rapidly, and this partnership positions both our organisations to move with scale, speed, and a shared ambition to serve consumers with the very best offerings. We see this as the beginning of a significant and expanding market opportunity, one that we are ready to explore together, at scale and across multiple categories.”
Regional demand
AKI and CJ’s partnership aims to shape the next phase of K-food growth, reflecting the deepening cultural and economic ties between the UAE and the Republic of Korea as both nations pursue new avenues for cooperation.
Demand for K-culture continues to climb across the Middle East, propelled by the popularity of K-entertainment, lifestyle trends, and cuisine. The UAE has unveiled plans for a new ‘UAE K-City,’ a dedicated hub developed with the Korean government, featuring Korean food, music, business, and innovation