One Pass Unlocks Two Major Trade Shows: FDM by SIAL 2026 and Chocolate Show 2026

Kuala Lumpur, 21 May 2026 – Malaysia is well on its way to welcome the fourth edition of Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL (FDM). Set to take place from 21 to 23 July 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), the event will run concurrently with Chocolate Show 2026, offering guests access to both events with a single pass. 

Together, they will present a strategic meeting point for the food and beverage industry in Southeast Asia, and a timely platform for Malaysia to assert its place at the centre of regional food trade, innovation and talent. 

Launched in 2023, FDM is part of the wider SIAL (Salon International de l'Alimentation) Network, which has more than 60 years of history and is widely positioned as one of the world’s leading food exhibition and innovation networks. The network's global footprint, spanning major markets including Paris, Shanghai, Montreal and New Delhi, gives the Malaysian edition a degree of international weight that few trade shows in the local market can replicate. 

The 2026 edition of FDM is expected to be the biggest yet, with 500 exhibitors and 18,000 trade attendees. Taking on the theme “Savour Southeast Asia: The Epicentre of Taste, Trade & Talent,” the event reflects Malaysia’s growing role as a gateway to ASEAN’s food and beverage ecosystem. 

FDM is a strategic platform for businesses, brands, manufacturers, and SMEs in Malaysia's diverse food industry. It provides them with the opportunity to connect with regional buyers, distributors, and key decision-makers. For international participants, the event serves as a strong point of entry into Malaysia, one of Asia's most vibrant food markets. Additionally, FDM offers significant value to trade agencies, industry bodies, and policymakers by offering a timely stage to highlight Malaysia's strengths in food culture, halal industry leadership, and regional connectivity. 

“FDM has grown very quickly over the last three years because it answers a real need in the market. Businesses today are looking beyond mere visibility, to cultivate and build meaningful trade connections, reliable market access and platforms that can open doors across the region. FDM is highly designed to address these needs, in a country that is uniquely placed to play host to such an impactful role in the regional and even global stage," said Henri Tan, Exhibition Director, South East Asia of Comexposium. 

Indeed, the show's significance is expected to come through strongly in the 2026 programme, which will feature several notable sub-events and industry showcases, including the FDM Halal Forum 2026, the 5^th Global Culinary Challenge Malaysia, the SIAL Innovation Awards Malaysia 2026, and the ASEAN Barista Team Championship 2026 and Chocolate Show 2026. These will be held alongside workshops, culinary demonstrations, business matching sessions, the SIAL Society Membership Programme for VIP buyers and industry insight tours.  

These elements reinforce the event’s appeal not merely as an exhibition, but as a multi-dimensional platform for competition, product discovery, thought leadership and commercial exchange. 

The market context also strengthens the show’s importance. Malaysia remains one of Southeast Asia’s most strategically positioned food economies, with stable growth, expanding consumer demand, strong halal credentials and growing appeal as a culinary tourism destination. In this regard, FDM is a clear reflection of where Southeast Asia’s F&B industry is headed, and why Malaysia is increasingly central to that story. 

As part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 programme, FDM2026 is proudly endorsed by Tourism Malaysia and MyCEB, reflecting its contribution to driving tourism growth while positioning Malaysia as ASEAN’s leading destination for culinary innovation and international exhibitions.  

For more information, visit www.fooddrinksmalaysia.com. 

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