Overview

The Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW) is a global premier platform to share and co-create solutions for a more resilient and sustainable agri-food ecosystem across Asia. As an annual week-long gathering of the industry's brightest minds, SIAW fosters knowledge sharing, showcases ground-breaking technologies, and unlocks new business opportunities.

This series of events brings together key stakeholders, including agribusinesses, growers, food producers, consumer packaged goods and ingredient brands, entrepreneurs, investors, retailers, and policymakers. SIAW aims to catalyse sustainable food production in Asia, propelling the industry forward with innovative solutions that address the world’s evolving needs.

Singapore's position as an innovation hub makes it the ideal destination for a global agri-food event of this calibre. The nation adopts a strategic approach to nurturing a vibrant agri-food ecosystem, underpinned by forward-thinking regulations and investments in research¹. Ranked as the global top logistics hub ², Singapore offers seamless connectivity and serves as a launchpad for businesses to advance agri-food technologies and positively impact the region and beyond.

SIAW’s anchor events include the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit, Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia, and the by-invite-only Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations. SIAW 2023 was co-organised by Temasek and the Singapore Food Agency, in partnership with the Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board, A*Star, and event organisers Rethink Events and Constellar³.

In fact, Nancy Quan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical and Innovation Officer at The Coca-Cola Company, commended Singapore’s dedication to advancing the agri-food industry. “I saw the connection of the investment from the Singapore government on research and development and innovation to enable some of the new technologies. It is great to see that the regulatory environment in Singapore can keep pace with the technology,” said Quan. 

Catalysing sustainable growth

The 2023 edition of SIAW unfolded from 30 October to 2 November at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The event attracted some 9,500 attendees from over 82 countries and regions⁴, highlighting its status as a premier gathering for industry leaders.

Spanning three days, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit was packed with insightful discussions, networking, and deal-making. The sixth iteration of the summit focused on building capacity, security, and resilience within Asia's agri-food system⁵.

In his keynote address, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan underscored Singapore's advantageous position as Asia's hub for agri-food technology and innovation. “Singapore’s multicultural and multiracial roots, and our connectivity to ASEAN and the world, means that we are an ideal spot for alternative protein companies to pilot their food innovations in this vast growing Asia Pacific market,” he said⁶.

The summit was also a platform for senior ministers and leading figures in the agri-food innovation sector to share their insights across a rich and varied agenda. Panels addressed critical topics such as enhancing food security, decarbonisation, and emissions reduction from food systems, meeting nutritional needs in Asia, and more.

Distinguished speakers included Sunny Verghese, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Olam Group; Jeannie Lim, Assistant CEO, Lifestyle & Consumer of Enterprise; Jiunn Shih, Global Chief Marketing, Innovation and Sustainability Officer of Zespri; and Uma Valeti, CEO and Founder of Upside Foods⁷.

A highlight of the summit was the announcement of the Thai Union Innovation Challenge winner. UK start-up Oceanium emerged victorious for their seaweed biorefinery solution and will now benefit from support by the Thai Union’s Global Innovation Team to make a lasting impact in the realm of diet and nutrition⁸.

Cutting-edge agri-food technology

The Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia (AFTEA) stands out as the region’s leading platform for food innovators to launch, showcase, and testbed their solutions.

Highlighting the event's role in facilitating strategic partnerships and fostering innovation, AFTEA witnessed the signing of several key memoranda of understanding (MOUs). Notable signings included collaborations between Grain International and the Association of Vertical Farming (AVF), Innovate 360 with Republic Polytechnic, and Innovate 360 with Singapore Tembusutech Innovation. These MOUs underscore the expo's positive impact in catalysing future-forward agricultural advancements and technological breakthroughs within the agri-food sector.

AFTEA also offered a rich programme of 110 speaker sessions, delving into an array of pertinent topics ranging from challenges in the alternative protein industry and agricultural innovations to trends in regulatory frameworks for cultivated foods.

A night to celebrate and forge connections

The week’s activities culminated in the SIAW Gala Dinner on 1 November, held at Clifford Pier of the Fullerton Bay Hotel. This prestigious occasion provided an opportunity for attendees to celebrate achievements within the industry and explore new avenues for business opportunities⁹.

Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, was the Guest of Honour at the Gala Dinner. In his opening address, he emphasised, “We want to collaborate, learn and help create impact beyond Singapore. SIAW is our small contribution to bringing stakeholders from all over the world and across the agri-food value chain together, to share ideas, learn from one another, and spark new collaborations¹⁰.”

A highlight of the evening was the launch of the 2023 Asia Food Challenge Report by PwC, Rabobank, Temasek, and Terrascope. This third edition of the biennial report sheds light on decarbonising the agri-food value chain in Asia and serves as a valuable resource for industry stakeholders to make informed decisions and navigate the evolving landscape¹¹.

Charting the future

SIAW represents the collaborative spirit and commitment to innovation that defines the agri-food industry's path forward. By promoting solutions and fostering partnerships with the potential for significant regional impact, SIAW plays a pivotal role in driving food security and shaping a sustainable food future in Asia and beyond. Mark your calendars for the next edition of SIAW, which will return from 18 to 22 November 2024.

Footnotes 

^{1 https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/business-insights/insights/from-precision-fermentation-to-aquaculture-how-singapore-is-driving-innovation-in-food-production.html, https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/singapore/blog/singapores-emerging-agritech-ecosystem}

^{2 https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/our-industries/logistics-and-supply-chain-management.html}

^{3 https://sginternationalagrifoodweek.com.sg/faqs/}

^{4 https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-for-thought/article/detail/key-highlights-from-singapore-international-agri-food-week-2023}

^{5 https://agrifoodinnovation.com/2023-summit-highlights/}

^{6 https://agrifoodinnovation.com/welcoming-keynote-address-minister-alvin-tan/}

^{7 https://agrifoodinnovation.com/2023-summit-highlights/}

^{8 https://agrifoodinnovation.com/oceanium-wins-thai-union-innovation-challenge/}

^{9 https://sginternationalagrifoodweek.com.sg/siaw-gala-dinner/}

^{10 https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/DPM-Heng-Swee-Keat-at-the-Singapore-International-Agri-Food-Week-Gala-Dinner-2023}

^{11 https://agrifoodinnovation.com/2023-asia-food-challenge-report/}

Key Event Facts