Asia’s sourcing and networking platform for the region’s agrifood and foodtech industry, Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia (AFTEA), organised by Constellar with international partner DLG (the German Agricultural Society), returns for its third edition from November 19 to 21 in Singapore at Sands Expo & Convention Centre.
Focusing on strengthening the future of food sustainability and security, AFTEA is the only trade exhibition where cutting-edge technologies, innovative food solutions and global investment opportunities converge under one roof.
The impetus to embrace agricultural technology (or agritech) in Asia is ever more critical. Asia expects to more than double its total spending on food from $4 trillion in 2019 to more than $8 trillion by 2030, driven by limitations in traditional agriculture, a rapidly growing middle-class population in Asia and a correspondingly increasing consumer appetite for better quality, fresh and nutritious food options.
Agritech has consequently emerged as an avenue to elevate farming practices to produce higher and better-quality yields more productively. In Southeast Asia, the region alone is already home to more than 270 agrifoodtech start-ups, experiencing significant growth with more than US$3.6 billion invested between 2013 and 2022. The acceleration of agritech adoption in Southeast Asia has also enabled the region’s agrifoodtech ecosystem to grow at 54% CAGR, surpassing the 13% CAGR recorded for the global start-up ecosystem between 2019 to 2022. These investment trends reflect the region’s continued commitment towards food technology innovation, with a focus on automation, alternative proteins, controlled environment agriculture, and decarbonisation for more sustainable and efficient food production.
As the cornerstone event of the Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW), AFTEA serves as a launch pad for agritech companies to showcase innovative technologies, products and solutions that future-proof the region’s agricultural industries. It also provides a platform for decision makers – including food manufacturers, processors, policymakers, farmers and growers, and investors – to explore the latest technologies and preview novel and alternative food products designed to sustain and shape the future of food systems.
“In a rapidly evolving landscape where concerns with sustainability and food security, powered by technological advancements are transforming the agrifood sector in Asia, AFTEA serves as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration and innovation to shape the future of the agrifood industry. I encourage all agribusiness stakeholders to participate in AFTEA 2024, to share and discover groundbreaking innovations in agri and food technology, sustainable and regenerative farming, alternative proteins, aquaculture, and more,” said Chen Yuyuan, portfolio director at Constellar.
Highlights in 2024
This year, AFTEA will delve into three key aspects of the agritech business – innovation, safety and sustainability – to drive progress and advancement in the region’s agrifood industry.
Innovation: Solutions and latest technologies that can help farmers and food tech companies scale food production, accelerate business transformation, expand distribution channels, and bridge financial support.
Safety: Solutions covering aspects of food tracking, traceability, hygienic design, fraud prevention, standards and certification, inspection and detection technologies.
Sustainability: Sustainable solutions that transform food production and preserve the environment through energy conservation, resource optimisation, and fresh- and wastewater management.
AFTEA 2024 will include more than 300 exhibitors including country pavilions from France, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands, alongside industry players such as DPR, Dragino, Eurofins, Grain Arianetech, JS Biosciences, Nexton, Priva, SCIEX and Shenzhen FY Lighting. Among these exhibitors are about 100 start-ups, contributing to the largest agrifood and agritech start-up ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
Other highlights include a Cultivated Meat Pavilion. Supported by the Asia-Pacific Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA), the pavilion will return to showcase the latest in cultivated meat products. This year, the pavilion will feature Avant Meat, Cell Agritech, DPR Construction Asia Pacific, JS Biosciences, and more.
There will also be a Founder’s Hub, a platform fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the agribusiness sector. It will host a pitching stage for start-up competitions and among the featured events will be a global start-up competition organised in partnership with Innovate 360. The space will also house a start-up pavilion led by Innovate 360 and Impact Circle, where start-ups can network, collaborate, and explore opportunities for growth and investment.
There will also be a Living Lab Tech Showcase at the event.
Through a variety of formats including solo presentations, fireside chats, and panel discussions, a Sandbox will enable corporates and industry organisations to showcase and discuss the latest agricultural trends and agritech innovations. Attendees will discover practical solutions for improving crop yield, reduce costs, as well as improve their understanding of agritech solutions.
Jim Cornall is editor of Future Food Today and publisher at Ayr Coastal Media. He is an award-winning writer, editor, photographer, broadcaster, designer and author. Contact Jim here.
