The Global Taste of SIAL

In a rapidly evolving global food landscape, SIAL remains a strategic platform for understanding how local markets are shaping tomorrow’s food industry. While globalised trends once dominated product development, three major regional markets are now driving innovation: India, China and the ASEAN region. Together they illustrate how rising incomes, demographic shifts and regulatory frameworks are re-writing the recipe for food-industry growth.

These markets are no longer outliers; they are major growth engines. The global food and beverage market was valued at around USD 6.72 trillion in 2024 (≈ €5.82 trillion) and is forecast to reach roughly USD 11.6 trillion by 2033 (≈ €10.06 trillion). Within that, Asia-Pacific alone accounted for more than 41 % of global market value in 2024. For food industry players attending SIAL, local-market specificity matters more than ever.

Meanwhile, the food service market is also scaling rapidly: one estimate places India’s food service market at USD 80 billion in 2024 (≈ € 69.4 billion), with a projected rise to nearly USD 198.1 billion by 2032 (≈ € 171.7 billion) (CAGR ~12 %). What stands out in India is the interplay between massive domestic volume and deeply rooted culinary culture. Innovation is not just about new flavours or formats, it must translate into affordable, accessible formats that align with regional cuisine, smaller pack sizes and rising digital convenience. The scale and diversity of India ensure any product launched there must respect local taste profiles, packaging economics and distribution realities. For global manufacturers planning growth, this market underscores the need for tailored innovation rather than one-size-fits-all.

The ASEAN region comprises numerous markets with varying levels of maturity, but collectively they represent major opportunities. One source estimates the Southeast Asia F&B market was valued at USD 667 billion in 2023 (≈ € 578.4 billion), with a forecast to reach USD 900 billion by 2028 (≈ € 780.3 billion) (CAGR ~6.99 %).

Another report emphasises that Southeast Asia’s food & beverage market exhibits young consumers, rising digital purchasing, and strong growth in functional categories and convenient formats.

While aggregated numbers are useful, the key insight for SIAL stakeholders is that ASEAN is less homogeneous than India or China, it is a mosaic of cultural and economic dynamics. Malaysia’s halal-certified ecosystem, Thai functional beverages, Indonesian snacks and Vietnam’s youthful demographics all highlight niche opportunities. The region rewards rapid innovation and willingness to test new formats, making it a global playground for experimentation.

Another report emphasises that Southeast Asia’s food & beverage market exhibits young consumers, rising digital purchasing, and strong growth in functional categories and convenient formats.

While aggregated numbers are useful, the key insight for SIAL stakeholders is that ASEAN is less homogeneous than India or China, it is a mosaic of cultural and economic dynamics. Malaysia’s halal-certified ecosystem, Thai functional beverages, Indonesian snacks and Vietnam’s youthful demographics all highlight niche opportunities. The region rewards rapid innovation and willingness to test new formats, making it a global playground for experimentation.

Implications for global food industry and SIAL participants

When comparing India, China and ASEAN, several common themes emerge. Local relevance is now non-negotiable, as global players must adapt flavours, formats and pricing to each market rather than relying on universal product launches. At the same time, scale is being paired with growing sophistication: while India and China still offer massive volumes, consumers increasingly expect premium attributes such as provenance, health benefits, convenience and seamless digital access.

Innovation pipelines, too, are becoming regionalised. Ideas emerging in one market, whether plant-based snacks in ASEAN, millet-based products in India or premium RTD beverages in China, are quickly shaping global R&D directions. Meanwhile, distribution channels are transforming at speed across all three regions, with e-commerce, mobile commerce, cloud kitchens and convenience-driven formats reshaping traditional retail patterns.

Finally, regulatory and value-chain scrutiny continues to intensify. China’s insistence on traceability, India’s ambitions for its food-processing sector and ASEAN’s halal requirements and cross-border trade frameworks all demand a high level of agility from companies operating in these markets.

For SIAL’s global audience, ingredient suppliers, food manufacturers, private-label specialists, and retail strategists, the insight that “one size fits all” no longer works. The major growth opportunities lie where global capabilities meet local intelligence.

Markets like India, China and ASEAN are not just growth engines; they are innovation crucibles. At SIAL, the conversation is shifting from “exporting products” to “co-creating locally relevant solutions.” By tracking the data, recognising the difference and responding with agility, global brands can steer ahead of tomorrow’s food trends rather than just react.

 

Photo credits: Zhe Zhang, Freya Cheung, Zoshua Colah, Alexandra Tan