Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s Food Hub

Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2025 (FDM 2025) has successfully concluded, reaffirming its position as Southeast Asia’s premier platform for food innovation, strategic partnerships, and future-ready solutions. 

Organised by Comexposium as part of the globally renowned SIAL Network, this year's edition brought together over 18,000 trade visitors, 500 exhibitors from 60 countries, and more than 20 country pavilions.

Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2025 Ignites Innovation, Cementing Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s Food Hub

Leaders Converge to Launch Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2025

The event kicked off with a dynamic opening ceremony, officially launching three days of innovation and trade. FDM 2025 was officiated by YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Minister of Plantation & Commodities, who was joined by YB Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, Sabah’s Assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship. Their presence underscored the strong public-private commitment to advancing Malaysia’s pivotal role in the global food supply chain and agri-food tech sector.

The launch was marked by a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony led by YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin and Mr. Henri Tan, Exhibition Director, Southeast Asia, Comexposium APAC. The ceremony also served as the platform for the highly anticipated SIAL Innovation Awards prize giving, placing innovation at the forefront from the very start. Following the official launch, the distinguished guests embarked on a tour of the exhibition hall, engaging directly with the trailblazers and products shaping the industry.

“Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL is more than a trade exhibition; it’s a catalyst for progress, empowering businesses to scale, enabling ideas to cross borders, and accelerating innovation across the entire food value chain,” said Mr. Henri Tan, Exhibition Director, Southeast Asia, Comexposium APAC.

Driving Global Innovation from Malaysia

A major highlight was the Malaysian debut of the SIAL Innovation Awards, which attracted an impressive 144 submissions from both local and international brands. The awards celebrate bold products shaping tomorrow's food landscape.

The 2025 winners are:

Gold Award: Symphony Spread Black Sesame Cream (Symphony Confection Sdn Bhd, Malaysia) – A creamy, no-sugar-added black sesame spread.

Silver Award: MusaWa Puffs (Musarium Co. Ltd, Thailand) – Gluten-free puffs made from green banana flour and Thai rice.

Bronze Award: Barley Fresh Noodle (Kosmode Health Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore) – Low-carb, high-protein fresh noodles made from upcycled spent barley grains.

Jury member Ms. Low Ngai Yuen, Group Chief Merchandise & Marketing Officer at AEON Co Malaysia Berhad, praised the entries, stating, “The top entries clearly understood their consumers, as they offer purposeful innovation that fits real market needs. This marks a meaningful shift for Malaysia, from manufacturing to truly leading in food innovation.”

A Showcase of Flagship Events

FDM 2025 hosted an expansive programme of high-impact events, including:

Malaysia’s First-Ever Chocolate Show: Curated in partnership with Salon du Chocolat, this debut celebrated Malaysia’s rich cocoa heritage and growing artisanal chocolate scene. With Malaysia’s cocoa sector recording RM15 billion in export value in 2024, the showcase was a timely tribute to a key national commodity.

4th Global Culinary Challenge Malaysia (GCCM): A vibrant competition featuring over 600 chefs from 31 countries.

2nd FDM Halal Forum: A deep dive into the halal economy, covering certification, export strategies, and technology.

International Pavilions: The event floor served as a global marketplace, featuring exhibitors from countries including China, Canada, India, Poland, South Korea, Thailand, Türkiye, and the United States.

A Resounding Success for Malaysia's Food Ecosystem

FDM 2025 successfully brought together influential decision-makers from across the globe, cementing its role as a catalyst for progress in the food and beverage industry. Through its flagship events, global participation, and a strong focus on innovation, the event highlighted Malaysia's growing influence as a central node in the global food ecosystem. 

The strong support from strategic partners like the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Malaysia Airlines, and Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) further strengthens this position, promising continued growth and impact for the nation's F&B sector.

Looking Ahead

With the success of this year's event, FDM has set the stage for even greater breakthroughs. Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL will return from 30th June to 2nd July 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2025

Q1. What is Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL?

A. Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL is Southeast Asia’s premier platform for food innovation, strategic partnerships, and future-ready solutions, organised by Comexposium as part of the globally recognised SIAL Network.

Q2. How big was FDM 2025?

A. FDM 2025 brought together over 18,000 trade visitors, 500 exhibitors from 60 countries, and featured more than 20 international and local country pavilions.

Q3. What were the flagship events at FDM 2025?

A. The four flagship events included the SIAL Innovation Awards, Malaysia’s First-Ever Chocolate Show, the 2nd FDM Halal Forum, and the 4th Global Culinary Challenge Malaysia (GCCM).

Q4. Who won the SIAL Innovation Awards at FDM 2025?

A. The winners were:

Gold Award: Symphony Spread Black Sesame Cream (Malaysia)

Silver Award: MusaWa Puffs (Thailand)

Bronze Award: Barley Fresh Noodle (Singapore)

Q5. When is the next Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL event?

The next event is scheduled to take place from 30 June 2026 to 2 July 2026.

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