Malaysia’s growing plant-based food market attracts global brands and local startups
Malaysia is quickly becoming a hotspot for plant-based food as it catches up with neighboring Singapore and Hong Kong, both known for their thriving vegan scenes.
Supermarkets across the country are now selling more plant-based products, restaurants are catering to surging demand by adding meat-free options to their menus and international brands are importing meat alternatives to the country.
Local startups, too, are increasingly introducing plant-based protein innovations to the market, targeting flexitarians, vegetarians, vegans, and health-conscious people.
“Plant-based protein is not entirely new in Malaysia as soy and tofu have been traditional staples,” Paul Sanda, senior trade and investment commissioner for Malaysia & Brunei at the Australian Trade & Investment Commission, told Salaam Gateway. “Vegetarianism is significant in two of Malaysia’s major religions (Buddhism and Hinduism) which might be a contributing factor [to the increasing demand for plant-based food],” he added.
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