American Retailers Impressed With Malaysian Processed Food

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- A visit by a group of American retailers under the "Malaysia Kitchen" programme has netted RM4.3 million (US$1.4 million) in sales potential. The impressive sales were recorded via the product network such as noodles, sauces, biscuits, wafer crackers, sweets, soya products and roti canai (paratha). The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) said the visit was an initiative to encourage more processed food exports to the United States and promote business opportunities for Malaysian processed food manufacturers. "The worth of processed food exports to the UNited States touched US$330.3 million (RM990.9 million) last year. "The food includes beef, processed seafood, dairy products, confectioneries, cereal products and tea, vegetable products, fruits and other processed food," it said in a statement. Matrade Chief Executive Officer Dr Wong Lai Sum said the American retailers showed keen interest to import Malaysian processed food due to its commendable quality and the capacity to conform to the American standard. Overall, the United States is among the five major export markets for Malaysia, she said, adding that there was an uptrend for increased exports of processed food. Malaysia is among world's 25 leading exporting nations, she added. -- BERNAMA