As a key platform for exploring these new frontiers, the upcoming Indonesia Baking Exhibition will delve into the trends and opportunities shaping the region’s bakery sector. While China’s bakery sector faces challenges like homogenized competition and rising costs, Southeast Asia presents a fresh opportunity. Supported by strong trade growth under the RCEP agreement and a young population (over 60%), the region’s bakery market is projected to expand from $10.89B in 2023 to $14.99B by 2028.

1. Market Access: The Recipe for Entry

Success requires understanding key rules. In Malaysia and Indonesia, Halal certification is crucial for accessing the large Muslim consumer base. Practical strategies include using certified local suppliers. Additionally, local language labeling is mandatory, with strict rules for nutrition claims in countries like Thailand and Vietnam.

2. Setting Up Your Business: Key Rules Vary

Establishment rules differ significantly by country:

• Ownership: Vietnam and Malaysia generally allow 100% foreign ownership for bakeries. Thailand requires local majority ownership unless special BOI promotion is obtained.

• Capital: Registered capital requirements range from being matched to business scale in Vietnam to specific, often substantial, minimums in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

• Local Compliance: Common requirements include work permits for foreign directors, local resident directors (Malaysia), and specific business licenses (Thailand).

3. Policies: More Than Just Barriers

While regulations add complexity, they also create opportunity. Halal certification opens a major market segment. Furthermore, governments offer incentives like tax breaks and simplified procedures (e.g., Thailand’s BOI), which can offset initial compliance costs.

In summary, Southeast Asia’s diverse markets offer growth for bakers who treat local laws not as barriers, but as essential molds that shape and safeguard a successful business venture.

Bakery China 2026 will continue to share more industry professional content with you, so please stay tuned!

Bakery China 2026, organized by China Association of Bakery and Confectionery Industry (CABCI) and Bakery China Exhibitions Co., Ltd. was launched since 1997. Bakery China 2026 is the Asia Pacific’s leading event serving the entire value chain for the bakery and confectionery market. The event presents all range of ingredient, equipment, packaging and services, and enables global leading professionals and buyer delegates to meet and share the latest innovations and thinking on manufacturing & distribution, R&D, applications and related services for bakery industry. It is the first-choice trade fair to enter China’s bakery market.

The 2026 ASEAN International Bakery Exhibition (Bakery ASEAN), will be held on August 27-29 at JIExpo (Jakarta, Indonesia), co-located with renowned WEPACK Indonesia, Cafe Show Indonesia held by Reed Exhibitions Group, is a premier trade event focusing on the bakery and related industries in ASEAN and global markets. the shows will be covering 20,000 square meters, expecting more than 500 exhibitors and 50,000 professional buyers including distributors, imports and exports, manufacturers, chain stores, supermarkets, convenient stores, hotels and cafes, etc. from not only the ASEAN but also the rest of the world.

(Source: The 4th Baking Professionals)