Over 18,000 Visitors, 500 Exhibitors From 60 Countries Gather For FDM2025

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia reaffirms its role as Southeast Asia’s premier platform for food innovation, strategic partnerships and future-ready solutions with Food and Drinks Malaysia by SIAL Network 2025 (FDM2025), taking place from July 1 to 3.

Held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here, the event brought together over 18,000 trade visitors, 500 exhibitors from 60 countries and more than 20 international pavilions from across ASEAN, Europe and North America.

Comexposium Sdn Bhd exhibition director (Southeast Asia) Henri Tan said FDM2025 is more than just an exhibition - it serves as a powerful gateway for Malaysian food and beverage (F&B) enterprises to expand their reach and connect to global buyers.

He said the third edition of FDM in Malaysia has helped local players gain export exposure and market access through the strength of the SIAL network, which spans Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

“Since its launch, FDM has actively contributed to Malaysia’s F&B development by championing local innovation, supporting halal and sustainable business practices, and strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in food trade and innovation.

“As the F&B industry embraces the future with increasing focus on sustainability, technology and consumer empowerment, FDM remains committed to being a catalyst for progress, connecting local ambition with global opportunity,” he said during the opening ceremony of FDM2025 today.

The event was officiated by Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin and attended by Sabah’s Assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy and SIAL Network director of International Projects Nathalie Perraudin.

Chan said FDM2025 and the upcoming SIAL Shenzhen in China would continue to play a vital role in enabling strategic networking, knowledge sharing and business matchmaking.

He was pleased to see the continuous growth of the exhibition, adding that this year’s edition features exciting new highlights, including Malaysia’s first-ever chocolate show, proudly supported by the Malaysian Cocoa Board, alongside the SIAL Innovation wards, the Thai SELECT awards and more.

“I commend the Malaysian Cocoa Board for their support in organising The Chocolate Show here at FDM by SIAL. Through their leadership, 20 local exhibitors, ranging from cocoa grinders and chocolatiers to bean-to-bar artisans and machinery innovators, are showcasing the dynamic breadth of Malaysia’s cocoa value chain here,” he said.

The opening ceremony also saw the announcement of the winners of the SIAL Innovation Awards Malaysia, held in the country for the first time this year, which received 144 submissions from local and international brands.

The Gold Award was won by Malaysia through Symphony Spread Black Sesame Cream by Symphony Confection Sdn Bhd, while the Silver Award went to MusaWa Puffs by Musarium Co. Ltd from Thailand, and the Bronze Award was given to Barley Fresh Noodle by Kosmode Health Singapore Pte Ltd from Singapore.

Beyond the chocolate show and awards, FDM2025 features high-impact forums, competitions and networking activities tailored for the fast-evolving F&B industry, such as the FDM Halal forum, Future Food & Agriculture by Impact Circle and the Global Culinary Challenge Malaysia (GCCM).

-- BERNAMA