The India-ASEAN F&B Buyer-Seller Meet 2025 spotlighted emerging opportunities for collaboration and investment between India and Southeast Asia

Maneesh Tripathi, Director of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and Chairman of the SME Centre SICCI, addressed the India-ASEAN F&B Buyer-Seller Meet held on 24 April 2025 at a local hotel in Singapore. The event, organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India, brought together around 30 entrepreneurs showcasing a wide range of food products to potential partners, including mega mart owners, supermarket chains, and restaurant businesses.

Mr Tripathi highlighted the power of food and beverages (F&B) not only in satisfying culinary desires but also in connecting people, strengthening economies, and deepening business ties. Citing recent figures, he noted that ASEAN’s agricultural imports were valued at approximately US$130 billion in 2023/2024, with vegetable imports alone nearing US$3.5 billion. This growth reflected the region’s increasing reliance on food imports to meet rising consumption needs.

He also pointed to significant trends in consumer behaviour, mentioning the growing demand for convenience foods and ready-to-eat meals. The packaged food market in Southeast Asia recorded nearly US$110 billion in retail sales in 2023, while ASEAN’s frozen food market is projected to reach US$75 billion by 2032.

In the Singapore context, Mr Tripathi shared that the country imported nearly US$14 billion worth of food and live animals in 2024, with the ready-to-eat food market valued at around US$0.89 billion. He emphasised SICCI’s critical role in connecting businesses across India and Southeast Asia through trade facilitation, business matching, and compliance support with Singapore’s food regulations.

Concluding his remarks, Mr Tripathi stated, “Food has the power to unite, and trade has the power to uplift. Let us not just focus on transactions but on transformation and building long-term relationships.”

Source: Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry