Malaysian Firms Eye Booming Chinese Halal Market Via MIHAS@Shanghai

By Amanina Mohamad Yusof

SHANGHAI, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysian companies are leveraging the Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Shanghai (MIHAS@Shanghai) to expand into China’s fast-growing halal market, tapping demand from one of the world’s largest Muslim consumer bases.

Among the participants are G&R Foods Sdn Bhd, Sirehemas Pharma Sdn Bhd, and Tech Food Ingredients Sdn Bhd, each showcasing locally inspired food and beverage products for international buyers.

Perak-based G&R Foods Sdn Bhd, a family-run company with more than 30 years of experience, is aiming to introduce ‘murukku’, a traditional Indian snack, to Chinese consumers.

“We started small, selling at night markets and roadside stalls. After receiving government grants to purchase machinery and expand production, our products are now available in major supermarkets such as 99 Speedmart, Lotus’s and Giant.

“We have also exported to Australia, Dubai, Yemen, Jordan and Singapore, and hope to enter the Chinese market by year-end,” said G&R Foods managing director T. Gunalan during the MIHAS@Shanghai exhibition, held alongside the China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre here.

CIIE, a Chinese government initiative aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative, provides a platform for foreign exporters to connect with Chinese buyers across various provinces, offering Malaysian exporters greater access and visibility in the vast market.

Gunalan said MIHAS@Shanghai served as an excellent platform for introducing Malaysian products to global buyers, noting that his company attracted the interest of three out of six premium buyers during the fair.

Sirehemas Pharma executive director and group chief executive officer Nik Juzailah Juhari said the event marked the company’s first international MIHAS participation, aimed at promoting its durian-based products such as Musang King durian coffee and durian popcorn.

“We are targeting sales of at least RM2 million from this participation. By the third day, two buyers from Mauritius and Saudi Arabia had expressed interest, with potential orders totalling around RM600,000,” she said.

According to Nik Juzailah, Sirehemas products are already available in Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore and Qatar. The company also received support under the Halal Technology Fund from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC).

For Tech Food Ingredients Sdn Bhd, its second appearance at MIHAS has provided an opportunity to introduce durian and ‘gula melaka’ pastes to the Chinese market.

“We want to show international buyers that Malaysian durian-based products are not only of high quality but also halal-certified and compliant with global food safety standards,” said Chief Executive Officer R. Narendranath.

He added that the company’s products are currently sold in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam, and it aims to enter China next year.

“We’ve benefited from eight years of guidance under the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), which has been instrumental in expanding our export reach,” he said.

The participation of Malaysian firms at MIHAS@Shanghai underscores the strong potential of local halal products in the global market, particularly in China, home to over 20 million Muslims.

MIHAS@Shanghai 2025 marks the second international edition of the showcase organised by MATRADE, following the success of MIHAS@Dubai last year.

A total of 250 Malaysian companies are taking part in the six-day MIHAS@Shanghai, which began last Wednesday.

-- BERNAMA