According to latest release from Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), Japanese companies are seeking to make inroads into Malaysia as they seek to tap on the huge opportunities in the Halal market for their food products and ingredients.
These companies either seek to export their products from Japan, or to manufacture or OEM for the supply of Halal-certified Japanese food and beverage products in Malaysia.
According to Jetro’s local project coordinator, Lim Yen Yi, “The recent 18th Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2022 (MIHAS) has generated a huge amount of interest for Japanese halal-certified food products with many buyers looking for Japanese food and ingredients.”
Lim said that the current local demand for Japanese food is increasing although the main target consumers are the wealthy Chinese Malaysians. It is however essential to expand consumption of such products to the middle class which comprises mainly of Malay muslim consumers whom accounted for 70% of the population, in order to expand the market for Japanese products in the country.
Local players in the Halal Food industry are also seeking for investments from Japan in the form of collaboration in R&D as well as technological expertise in production facilities.
During MIHAS 2022, there is strong consumer interest for halal Japanese products from Dashi seasoning sauce to matcha powder, additive-free rice flour to snacks and confectionery products. They formed part of 24 halal-certified food products showcased by 8 Japanese companies during the show.
