Browse Data and Analysis

Malaysia's food processing sector continues to be an attractive destination for U.S. food ingredients. Food and beverage manufacturing remain priority areas of economic growth for Malaysia and have boasted solid performance in the past several years.

After strong growth in 2023, the food retail sector is expected to see moderate but positive growth in the remainder of 2024. Expansion of convenience stores and small format retail outlets continues, while premium supermarkets have also expanded.

The Malaysian food and beverage manufacturing industry is a significant sector in Malaysia’s economic expansion for both the domestic and export market. This sector includes several multinational corporation facilities as well as a range of local company operations.

The UAE's food processing sector is thriving, driven by robust economic growth and domestic consumption. With 568 predominantly small- and medium-sized food and beverage processors, the UAE hosts over 2,000 food and beverage manufacturing companies that generate $7.63 billion in annual revenue.

The United States solidified its position as one of the four leading suppliers of consumer-oriented agricultural products to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022, contributing more than $1 billion in value.

Malaysia was the 26th-largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products in 2022, totaling nearly $1.1 billion in value, and is a top prospect for exports of food and beverage ingredients because of its large and growing food processing industry.

Malaysia’s retail sales are projected to grow to US$1.8 billion in 2023. The Malaysian food and beverage retail market is a competitive landscape and is highly fragmented.

The Malaysian food manufacturing and processing industry is an important component of the country’s economic growth and has seen significant development and innovation for shelf stable products as consumer demands increase.

The Malaysian food manufacturing and processing industry is an important component of the country’s economic growth and has seen significant development and innovation for shelf stable products as consumer demands increase. This sector includes several multinational corporation facilities as well as a range of local company operations.

The United Arab Emirates' food processing sector continues to expand, bolstered by strong economic growth and local demand. There are over 568 food and beverage processors and manufacturers in the UAE, most of which are small to medium size.

Malaysia was the 25th largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products in 2021 and is a top prospect for exports of food and beverage ingredients because of its large and growing food processing industry. Food and beverages manufactured in Malaysia not only serve domestic consumers but are also exported to many neighboring countries. U.S. exporters of dairy products, fresh and processed potatoes, food-grade soy, processed fruit and juices, tree nuts and more have many opportunities to supply Malaysian industry which depends on imports for key ingredients and inputs, and in doing so will reach consumers across Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia.

In the past 10 years the food retail segment in the United Arab Emirates has grown rapidly, with the opening of large-scale hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, online retailers, and home delivery services all catering to an expanding...