A total of 45 Malaysian Food & Beverages (F&B) companies will participate in the world-renowned F&B trade fair, Salon International de I’Alimentation (SIAL) Paris 2022 from 15 to 19 October 2022.
The effort is spearheaded by MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) and targeted at expanding the footprint of Malaysian F&B Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Europe and at the same time, strengthening Malaysia’s position as the preferred F&B sourcing nation.
This year, SIAL Paris will feature a wide variety of quality and competitive Malaysian F&B products such as palm oil products, cocoa products, biscuits and confectioneries, ready-to-eat meals, beverages, cooking oil, frozen food, sauce & paste, spices, food ingredients, functional foods, peppers, snacks and dairy products.
On top of that, Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and Malaysia Cocoa Board (MCB) will also be taking part in the event under the Malaysia Pavilion to further enhance the branding and secure export opportunities for Malaysian palm oil and cocoa products in the region.
Malaysia’s participation in SIAL Paris 2022 is well positioned to facilitate cross-border trade between Malaysia and the EU by leveraging on the well-reputed and established marketplaces offered in the event. In addition, this effort aims to streamline greater cooperation and embrace innovation in product development as well as promote adherence to sustainability among Malaysian SMEs.
This iconic event has attracted 6,500 confirmed exhibitors from over 135 countries in SIAL Paris 2022, and is expected to enhance the ever-growing opportunities for new and innovative F&B products in the EU, and beyond.
According to Mr. Remee Yaakub, Director of Halal, F&B and Agro Based Section, MATRADE, Malaysian exporters must leverage on their presence in the event to engage actively with importers and traders from the region and many parts of the world in order to gain better perspective on the shifted consumer preference and requirement in the post-pandemic era.
“We hope that Malaysian companies at SIAL Paris will realise the need for them to embrace the element of sustainability, ethical consumption and responsible sourcing in their offerings. These are pertinent considerations if they want to reap the high-value opportunities in the EU,” he said.
“Malaysia has many great homegrown brands, and participation in the world’s top event such as SIAL Paris, will definitely improve our articulation on what Malaysia has to offer to world buyers. Indirectly, the interest Malaysian SMEs receive from the EU buyers will be a key influence to improve their readiness in adhering to rules and regulations set by the EU. This is crucial as we know EU businesses now are currently diversifying their sourcing destination and a lot of focus is now on ASEAN,” MATRADE Frankfurt’s Trade Commissioner, Ms. Zuhaila Sedek remarked.
EU continues to be an important trading partner for Malaysia. For the period of January to August 2022, trade between Malaysia and the EU expanded by 22.9% to RM141.90 billion. Malaysia’s total exports to the EU grew by 25.2% valued at RM83.42 billion, while total imports from the EU increased by 19.7% to RM58.48 billion.
Malaysian exporters who are keen to export to France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland may contact MATRADE Frankfurt at [email protected].
