Six Malaysian companies and one importer have successfully introduced 64 new SKUs to the New Zealand market, featuring a variety of agro-food products such as fish crackers, pineapple coffee, freeze-dried fruits, and roti canai.
The exhibition also showcased a cooking demonstration by celebrity chef Pho, a Malaysian-born chef from Masterchef Australia, who prepared kueh ketayap. The demonstration attracted enthusiastic responses from both local and international audiences.
The event, which received an overwhelming response from the local community, included various activities and food-tasting sessions that drew many visitors. This initiative achieved an actual trade value of RM1.5 million, with a potential trade value of RM59 million projected over the next three years.
Her Excellency Mazita Marzuki highlighted the high demand for Malaysian food products in New Zealand, noting their unique taste and quality. “Malaysian food products are not only delicious but also contain various natural ingredients that are good for health. The close cooperation between Malaysian producers and local importers in New Zealand can help expand market reach. This is the cultural synergy from the aspects of gastronomy and trade that we want to see happen, and Malaysia’s involvement in this exhibition has realized this objective,” she said.
Mazita also mentioned that the program is being held in major cities across New Zealand, and expressed hope that Malaysia will participate in the Food Show exhibition in the South Island next year. The Malaysian High Commission in Wellington supports efforts to open new market opportunities for Malaysian products to strengthen trade relations between Malaysia and New Zealand under the Malaysia-New Zealand Strategic Partnership.
In addition to promoting food products, the “Taste of Malaysia” pavilion featured a promotion for the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agrotourism Show (MAHA), which will take place from September 11 to 22, 2024. This promotion piqued the interest of visitors wanting to learn more about Malaysia’s largest agricultural exhibition.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (KPKM) is committed to supporting local entrepreneurs in exploring international markets, thereby boosting the national economy. Exhibitions like The Food Show are crucial platforms to promote Malaysian products and introduce the unique taste of Malaysia to the world.
