Eight Malaysian companies had showcased their products at a specialised marketing mission in conjunction with the three-day ExpoAlimentaria 2014 in Lima, Peru, in August this year.
The event was held in conjunction with the ExpoAlimentaria 2014, one of the largest food fairs in Latin America.
Among Malaysian products, which were well received during the fair, included Nata de Coco jelly pudding and beverage, cereal bars and marshmallows, Matrade Trade Commissioner in Chile Noor Ezzwanee Ahmad said in a statement today.
She said Malaysian products have potential demand in the Peruvian market based on interactions with visitors and food product importers at the fair.
“Many of them are looking for new products from other countries to be introduced to the region and had asked for Malaysian products like confectioneries, including pudding, cakes, biscuits and wafers, to be brought in,” she said.
For Blossom View Sdn Bhd, one of the participants, the fair enabled the company to promote its bird’s nest products in Latin America, using Peru as a gateway.
Another participant, Central Vista (M) Sdn Bhd, a corn snacks manufacturer, said the mission enabled the company to seek new market opportunities and identify new customers.
Latin America imported RM105.6 million of processed food from Malaysia in 2013 with cocoa and cocoa preparation accounting for 32.4 per cent of the market, followed by margarine and shortening (31.9 per cent) and prepared/ preserved vegetable and fruits (19.5 per cent).
At present, most of the supermarkets and grocery chains in Latin America import 60 per cent of their products and the grocery retail market in Peru is expected to be worth RM64.52 billion by 2018.
— BERNAMA