(From centre) Mazita, along with the Sydney Agriculture Counsellor Office consul Kalaivani Gohbal and the exhibitors, during the recent inauguration of the 'Taste of Malaysia' pavilion in Auckland.
AUCKLAND: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry made its debut at The Food Show in Auckland, New Zealand, which was held from July 25 to 28.
Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki inaugurated the pavilion, themed “Taste of Malaysia,” on July 25.
This international exhibition showcased six Malaysian companies and one importer of Malaysian products in Auckland, successfully introducing 64 new SKUs to the New Zealand market.
The agri-food products featured included fish crackers, pineapple coffee, freeze-dried fruits and roti canai.
The exhibition also highlighted celebrity chef (Masterchef Australia) Poh Ling Yeow, a Malaysian native, who prepared kuih ketayap during a cooking demonstration. The demo received an enthusiastic response from both local and international audiences.
The exhibition was met with an exceptional reception from the local community and featured various activities and food tasting sessions that attracted many visitors. Through this programme, a total trade value of RM1.5mil was achieved, with a potential trade value of RM59mil over the next three years.
Mazita noted that the demand for Malaysian food products in the New Zealand market is very high due to the unique flavours of Malaysian products, which suit the local taste palette. The quality of the products offered was also satisfactory.
"Malaysian food products are not only delicious but also contain various natural ingredients that are good for health. Close cooperation between Malaysian producers and local importers in New Zealand can help expand market reach.
“This is the kind of gastronomic and trade synergy we aim to see, and Malaysia’s participation in this exhibition has achieved that goal," she said.
She further stated, "This programme is also held in major cities across New Zealand, and I hope Malaysia can participate in the Food Show in South Island next year. “The Malaysian High Commission in Wellington continues to support the ministry's 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.
“We hope more Malaysian food products will penetrate the global market in the future."
In addition to promoting food products, the "Taste of Malaysia" pavilion also featured promotions for Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (MAHA), which will take place from Sept 11-22. This promotion attracted visitors interested in learning more about Malaysia's largest agriculture exhibition.
The ministry is committed to continuously supporting local entrepreneurs in their efforts to explore international markets, thereby boosting the country's economy.
Exhibitions like The Food Show are important platforms for promoting Malaysian products and introducing the unique flavours of Malaysia to the global stage.
