As well as having proven itself to be a prime destination for any Chinese Mainland company seeking to diversify its manufacturing footprint (particularly in certain capital-intensive sectors), Malaysia is also seen as having considerable potential for Hong Kong's professional services industry. Through such resources, Hong Kong is well positioned to support Malaysia's industrial upgrade, while also making use of the country as a gateway to the wider ASEAN market. In turn, Malaysian companies can leverage Hong Kong's status as an international business platform, as well as its global connectivity, in order to accelerate their own international expansion initiatives.

Indonesia publishes new legislation to set compliance requirements for several types of food contact materials (FCMs) and articles.

The General Administration of Customs announced on 7 July new requirements for the inspection, quarantine supervision and administration of fruits supplied to Hong Kong and Macao. These will take effect on 1 September.

On 2 July 2026, Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1428 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The text amends the Annex to Decision 2002/994/EC concerning certain protective measures with regard to products of animal origin imported from the Chinese Mainland. The change carries immediate practical significance for Chinese Mainland exporters supplying animal-derived goods to European markets, particularly those operating in the animal feed, food supplement, and ingredient supply sectors.

Indonesia has secured expanded access to the Chinese market for its fishery products. This follows eight additional fish processing units (UPIs) being approved for export purposes by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). Granted under the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between Indonesia and China, through which China recognises Indonesia’s fishery product quality assurance and inspection system, the move brings the total number of Indonesian fishery processing facilities authorised to export to China to 638.

On 18 June, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced new inspection and quarantine supervision and administration requirements for fresh and refrigerated vegetables supplied to Hong Kong and Macao.

With Southeast Asia’s Muslim markets seen as very much a priority, the Chinese bakery sector has embraced halal compliance.

With mere weeks remaining before the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) begins to apply, some of Europe's biggest consumer goods and packaging companies, alongside several Member States, are warning that key parts of the legislation may not be ready for consistent implementation across all Member States.

Hong Kong’s total exports of processed food and beverages reached HK$48.6 billion in 2025, with re-exports accounting for more than 80% in value terms. Mainland China and Macao were the top two largest markets for Hong Kong’s processed food and beverage exports, accounting for 54% and 24% of the total exports respectively last year.

Changing consumer preferences have transformed the prospects of the country’s more entrepreneurial baked goods suppliers.