The opening ceremony of Fi Asia Thailand 2025 took place on September 18 at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), gathering global businesses and experts in the food, beverage, supplement, and nutraceutical industries. Organized by Informa Markets, the event included a press briefing to provide insights into emerging trends across the Asia-Pacific market.

Addressing the session, Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director of Informa Markets, noted that the specialty food ingredients sector in Asia-Pacific reached a value of 21.15 billion USD in 2024. The sector was projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.96 percent during 2025–2033, potentially reaching 38.75 billion USD by 2033. According to her, this trajectory underscored the importance of Fi Asia Thailand 2025 as a hub for innovation and collaboration.

Dr. Visit Lumfurcha, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the rapid growth of “future food” products, which had accounted for more than 10 percent of Thailand’s total food exports. He explained that the category included nutraceuticals, organic foods, alternative proteins, and medical foods, each serving specific market needs.

As examples, Dr. Lumfurcha pointed to insects such as crickets, which could be processed into protein-rich powder for pasta and noodles, and the black soldier fly, considered a sustainable protein source that consumed waste and reproduced rapidly.

In the nutraceutical and medical food segments, Chitanuwat underlined the rising demand for healthier and more functional products, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic had accelerated consumer awareness. She noted that aging populations in many Southeast Asian countries were fueling demand for products that supported cognitive health, energy, and nutrition, as well as personalized foods tailored to individual needs.

Both experts highlighted that Southeast Asia’s favorable climate created strong conditions for farming and raw material supply. Within this landscape, Vietnam stood out as a promising market and producer of beauty-related nutraceutical products, Chitanuwat added.

On the question of value-added rice products from Vietnam Economic News, Dr. Lumfurcha said Thailand was prioritizing higher yields alongside innovations to make rice more suitable for people with diabetes by lowering the glycemic index. Thailand was also experimenting with rice-derived products such as rice cheese and rice coffee, while seeking sustainable ways to extract nutrients from rice.

Looking ahead, Chitanuwat stressed the importance of stronger research and development, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises, which formed the backbone of the regional economy. Meanwhile, Dr. Lumfurcha called for more proactive government support through better standards, regulations, and policies to help the food and beverage industry thrive.

From September 17–19, Fi Asia Thailand 2025 served as a platform for industry professionals to access one of the world’s most dynamic food and beverage markets. The event featured cutting-edge ingredients, in-depth sessions on innovation, and opportunities for businesses to exchange knowledge and explore solutions shaping the future of the sector.