Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has sent a trade development team to FHA-Food & Beverage show in Singapore.

Changing consumer habits in Singapore could help drive growth of British dairy exports, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Cultural trends in Singapore are incorporating more processed dairy products into local diets, reports AHDB, while attitudes toward dairy are generally positive as it can be seen as a symbol of modernity and affluence.

Awareness of the nutritional benefits of dairy has also been rising, while general health consciousness in Singapore is increasing. Last year (2024) UK dairy exports to Singapore were worth £8.3 million, up 2.9% on the year, with cheese exports worth £2.9 million, up 1.7% on the year. Cheddar accounted for £1.2 million of total cheese exports.

Developing trade links

To help build on this, AHDB’s international trade development team for dairy – joined by five dairy export businesses – is taking part in FHA-Food & Beverage show in Singapore, meeting with buyers from Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia region to explore further trade opportunities.

As part of the visit, AHDB hosted an evening networking reception at the Asian Civilisation Museum on the opening night of the show, attended by importers and distributors that the team met last November during a fact-finding mission to the country.

Rachael Speed, AHDB senior international trade development manager (dairy), said: “Singapore is a developed, affluent market that we have been working in with our exporters for several years to maximise opportunities for our world-class dairy produce created by these emerging trends. Coupled with Singapore acting as a hub for tourists stopping over on journeys, it is a very high-value market for our dairy exporters.”

“There are great opportunities for our dairy exporters in the region.”

Karen Liao, AHDB’s representative in the region, said: “The FHA-Food & Beverage show attracts visitors from the wider region so gives us an opportunity to catch up with buyers from countries including Thailand and Philippines.

“I have had many conversations with these buyers and distributors in recent months, and they recognise the premium quality of British dairy even if they don’t currently carry it in their range. There are great opportunities for our dairy exporters in the region who we will continue to support to ensure their products reach as many consumers as possible.”