Malaysia’s processed food exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continued its upward trajectory in 2024, reflecting strong demand for high-quality and halal-certified food products.
The UAE remained the leading destination for Malaysia’s processed food in the region, accounting for 33.3% of total MENA exports.
Exports to the UAE surged 37.3% from US$125.1 million in 2023 to US$171.8 million in 2024. According to Malaysia’s Trade Commissioner to the UAE, Megat Iskandar, “This significant increase highlights the UAE’s role as a strategic hub for Malaysian food products, facilitating wider market access across the GCC and beyond.”
Malaysian products are widely represented during Gulfood 2025, arguably the largest food and beverage event in the MENA region. Iskandar said, “Malaysian exhibitors present a wide spectrum of F&B products from sauces and pastes, spices and condiments, frozen food, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, beverages, dairy products, to Halal-certified products and organic products. This diverse offering reflects the dynamism and quality of the Malaysian F&B sector, catering to a broad international audience.”
Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, CEO of MATRADE added,” Our overarching goal of participating in Gulfood 2025 is to empower Malaysian F&B companies to tap into new international markets and present their innovative solutions to a global audience. Given the increasing demand for Malaysian products overseas, MATRADE is providing extensive support through business matching programmes and market intelligence briefings, ensuring that our companies can make the most of their presence and achieve their export ambitions.”
