Malaysia Kitchen USA, a project under The Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), reports a record increase in exports of Malaysian food and beverage products into the US from January to April 2014 totaling nearly US$150 million.
The US currently ranks as the fifth largest trading terminal for Malaysian food exports and ninth largest for Malaysian beverages, respectively.
Malaysia’s processed food products and goods distributed during the first quarter of 2014 in the US were valued at US$144.1 million, which is a 22.93% improvement over the same time frame in 2013.
Malaysia’s processed foods exports to the US consisted of 5.99% of the total processed food exports to the world, and shows continued signs of growth for the remainder of 2014.
In order to meet growing demand, Malaysia Kitchen USA plans to import more than 300 Malaysian food and beverage products into the US by 2015.
Named one of the top three trending flavors in the US for 2014 by the National Restaurant Association, the popularity of Malaysian cuisine in the country is growing.
With consumer demand for Southeast Asian ingredients and easy-to-prepare meals growing, Malaysia Kitchen USA appointed chef, author, and spice expert Christina Arokiasamy as the Malaysian Food Ambassador to promote the accessibility and convenience of the country’s cuisine and products to American consumers.
“Malaysian food has yet to be fully discovered and explored in the US,” says Arokiasamy.
“It is a cuisine comprised of a melting pot of Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Nonya cultures that sounds intimidating to the home cook.”
“But with all-natural, value-driven, easy-to-make, and authentic Malaysian food and beverage products becoming more accessible across the country, families can enjoy flavorful, healthy choices from packet to plate at their convenience.”
“Everything from ready-to-eat meals and frozen food to ingredients such as sauces, marinades, spices, noodles, flour mixes and beverages.”
