Asia’s leading agri-food tech and agri-food industry event; 4-6 Nov 2024
The 3rd edition of Agri-Food Tech Asia Expo (AFTEA) brought together global leaders, experts, and innovators to explore strategies for sustainable food systems on November 4-6, 2025 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo in Singapore. As Asia’s premier sourcing and networking platform for the region’s agrifood and foodtech industry, the event was exclusively crafted for policymakers, decision makers, and innovators in food processing, food service operators, retail, and investment.
Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia was officially inaugurated by Dr. Poh-Koon Koh, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Manpower on November 4. On the occasion, Dr. Koh spearheaded a collaborative effort to launch the Singapore Aquaculture Plan (SAP) at AFTEA 2024, involving more than 30 stakeholders across the aquaculture value chain. Based on five key pillars, the SAP aims to drive innovation, collaboration, and sustainable progress in aquaculture in Singapore.
The AFTEA conference offered a comprehensive perspective on the latest trends and opportunities in the Asian food industry. Among the topics discussed were novel and sustainable foods, alternative proteins, smart and urban farming applications and systems, cutting-edge technologies, cellular agriculture, aquaculture, food safety, and sustainability management.
One of the most unique trade events for bringing together cutting-edge technologies, innovative food solutions, and global investment opportunities to elevate the future of food sustainability and security, AFTEA plays a key role in ensuring food sustainability and security.
AFTEA served as the cornerstone event of the Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW), providing a platform for agritech companies to showcase innovative products and solutions that can help future-proof the region’s agriculture. AFTEA brought together global leaders, including government representatives, business leaders, venture capitalists and investors, facilitating knowledge exchange and exposure to the latest solutions in Asia’s agri-food landscape. During the conference, key decision makers, including food manufacturers, processors, policymakers, farmers, and growers, as well as investors, had the opportunity to discover new technologies and preview innovative food products that will sustain and shape the future of food systems.
The event was organised by Constellar Exhibitions Pte Ltd and DLG International GmbH. The event was supported by government agencies and industry partners, including the Singapore Food Agency, Temasek, and Enterprise Singapore as part of Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW).
“In a rapidly evolving landscape where concerns about 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 Mr Chen Yuyuan, Portfolio Director, Constellar.
Keeping collaboration at the forefront of agri-food tech helps drive sustainable solutions for food security and production by connecting startups, researchers, and industry leaders. Over 10,000 key players in the global agribusiness value chain attended the AFTEA gathering, including policymakers, decision makers, retailers, and investment professionals. The AFTEA showcases the latest agri-tech and foodtech solutions from exhibitors globally, offering a comprehensive view on the latest agri-tech and foodtech trends and opportunities.
AFTEA 2024 focused on Innovation, Safety, and Sustainability – three key components of agritech business – to drive regional agrifood growth and development.
- Innovation: Innovative solutions and technologies can help farmers and food tech companies scale food production, accelerate business transformation, expand distribution channels, and bridge financial support gaps.
- Safety: In parallel, safety solutions and processes for food processing, production, and distribution can benefit consumers, producers, and the environment. A range of solutions covering aspects of food tracking, traceability, hygienic design, fraud prevention, standards and certification, inspection and detection.
- Sustainability: In order to create positive impacts on people and the planet, sustainable solutions are necessary to transform food production. Solutions that conserve energy and resources, and optimize water and wastewater management while transforming food production.
“AFTEA is an essential and valuable platform that brings together global leaders, experts, and innovators to promote sustainable food systems. Showcasing advanced agri-tech solutions, novel foods, alternative proteins, and smart farming applications, AFTEA spotlights cutting-edge trends and technologies. The event emphasises the importance of Public-Private Partnerships which is very much aligned with the priorities of APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security, and the critical role of the Agri-Food Tech World Championship in addressing food security challenges. Amid rising food prices and supply-demand issues, AFTEA is pivotal in promoting public-private cooperation for food security in APEC economies,” said Professor Matthew Tan, Chair for Sustainable in Agriculture & Fishery Sectors, APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security.
Enthralling Pavillions and Panel Discussions:
AFTEA provided a premier platform for agri-food tech companies to showcase cutting-edge technologies, products and solutions that will future-proof the region’s agri-food industries. An international content partner of Constellar, DLG (the German Agricultural Society), AFTEA is a key participant in Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW), which is organized by the Singapore Food Agency and Temasek in collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and the Singapore Government Agency for Science, Technology, and Research. It is organized by Constellar and Rethink Events. The AFTEA showcases the latest advancements in the agri-food sector through a living lab demo zone, knowledge sharing on content stages, and pitching competitions. Approximately 10,000 attendees will have direct access to 300 exhibitors this year, an increase of 40 percent from last year, including over 100 start-ups and 17 international and industry groups showcasing the latest innovations, practices, and strategies.
For emerging and established players in the agrifood industry, Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia (AFTEA) offers a focused exhibition platform featuring live demonstrations, thematic experiential zones, a sandbox, and community-based learning opportunities. Agrifood-tech stakeholders from the public and private sectors as well as knowledge institutions participated in a networking reception on the show floor to engage in constructive dialogue.
The Asia-Pacific Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA) supported the Cultivated Meat Pavilion, which returns after its successful debut last year to present the latest products in cultivated meat. A number of leading cultivated meat companies were featured in the pavilion, including Avant Meat, Cell Agritech, DPR Construction Asia Pacific, JS Biosciences, among others. Farmers and growers, manufacturers, technology providers, MNCs, start-ups, investors, wholesalers, and more are gathered at this pavilion, along with manufacturers, technology solution providers, investors, wholesalers, and more.
As a dynamic platform for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the agri-business sector, Founder’s Hub hosted a pitching stage for start-up competitions and was a featured event at a global start-up competition organised with Innovate 360. A start-up pavilion led by Innovate 360 and Impact Circle, was also hosted where start-ups could network, collaborate, and explore growth and investment opportunities. Bringing together the largest agri-food technology start-up ecosystem in Southeast Asia, the Championship was designed to identify, support, and celebrate trailblazing start-ups in agritech, food sustainability, health and wellness, and deep technology from Seed to Series A. A structured competition at the event also provided start-ups with the opportunity to connect with investors and corporates, gain exposure, raise funds, and pilot projects. The Grand Championship featured more than 60 teams.
A total of 10 awards have been given out, where prizes include investment term sheets worth about S$3.5 million from pledging VCs, such as First Frontier Ventures, Pine Ventures, TLA (Temasek Lifesciences Accelerator), Elev8, etc.
Additionally, Founder’s Hub featured over 5 hours of content from 35 international speakers across 13 sessions, encouraging knowledge exchange, collaboration, and inspiration among the next generation of agri-food disruptors.
A Living Lab Tech Showcase, featuring Sananbio, an expert in vertical farming and horticultural lighting, offering sustainable bio-based solutions; Inong Agriculture Co Ltd, a Big Data-powered soil microbe expert offering cash-crop-specific solutions that use customized probiotics to boost crop yield; Takamiya, a manufacturer of high-performance greenhouses, demonstrated their latest collaborations. Sanobio’s intelligent plant cultivation and LED lighting system were highlights. A new-generation automated plant factory in Fujian Province is currently using this system to produce 1.5 tonnes of vegetables each day for supply to Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Quanzhou.
A variety of engaging formats were used by corporations and industry organizations to showcase and discuss agricultural trends and agritech innovations at the Sandbox, including solo presentations, fireside chats, and panel discussions. Attendees at the event discovered practical solutions for improving crop yield, reducing costs, and understanding agritech solutions.
A combined 30 hours of content were offered across two Sandbox stages on Innovation, Sustainability, and Food Safety. During the conference, 110 speakers from 15 countries and regions shared practical solutions for improving crop yields, reducing costs, and deepening attendees’ understanding of agri-tech solutions, as well as presenting the latest agricultural advances, which will be demonstrated by exhibitors.
On one of the Sandbox stages, the Climate-Smart Practices Forum featured senior executives from the World Bank, Mars, RIZE, Mae Fah Luang Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The executives shared their expertise on topics such as agricultural decarbonisation and digital transformation, as well as the convergence of agriculture and the Blue Economy. The discussion was staged on the background that the integration of ocean resource stewardship and environmental sustainability has gained traction for its potential to promote sustainable development, address climate change, and enhance food security.
The Sandbox also hosted The Agri-Food Tech Demo Day, allowing founders to gain visibility, attract investors, and build relationships with industry leaders who can help propel their businesses forward. Teams from RP Trendlines’ Agri-Food Tech Incubation Programme – a collaboration between Republic Polytechnic (RP) and Trendlines Agrifood – presented innovation-driven ideas to a judging panel for cash prizes worth more than S$150,000. Agri-Food Tech Demo Day featured finalist teams from Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) Agri-Food Tech Incubation Programme and Trendlines Agrifood’s Agri-Food Tech Incubation Programme. Over S$150,000 in cash and in-kind prizes were up for grabs for these innovative teams. Founders had the opportunity to gain visibility, attract investors, and build partnerships with industry leaders who can help propel their businesses forward during the event.
Start-up Pavillions:
AFTEA 2024 brought together a variety of innovative solutions and technologies across eight key profiles, exploring groundbreaking advancements and opportunities in agri-food technology namely, Aquaculture , Food Safety & Security, Novel Food Technology, Novel Food, Alternative Proteins & Sustainable Food, Smart Processing & Packaging, Sustainability & Resource Management, Technological solutions, Urban/Smart Farming.
The AFTEA provided an opportunity for agribusiness players to increase their market share, forge partnerships, expand opportunities, and collaborate across sectors in order to meet regional agri-food demands. AFTEA platform leveraging Singapore as the springboard for access to Asia’s high-potential markets for agri-food tech and food-tech sectors,
AFTEA’s Agri-Food Tech World Championship is an important step toward empowering start-ups. A robust support system is being built to help start-ups overcome barriers to entry, scale sustainably, and address food security needs with more than S$3 million in investment and access to VCs, accelerators, and industry leaders. As part of this initiative, Innovate 360 reaffirms its commitment to nurturing innovative solutions that can transform agriculture and food systems in the future.
At the startup pavilion, attendees had the opportunity to learn about groundbreaking, diverse solutions that are shaping the future of agri-food through food accelerators Impact Circle, SPACE-F, HAOSHI Accelerator, and Innovate 360. A few of the projects include a biomimetic underground irrigation system and an artificial sense platform, a protein-based sugar alternative with zero calories utilizing precision fermentation, and drone technology for spraying insecticides.
AFTEA was also an ideal platform for collaborations and alliances of companies with diverse backgrounds which can complement each other for a synergetic growth in the Agri-Food tech industry globally.
For instance, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Direct Carbon and ARIANETECH PTE LTD in collaboration that marks a significant milestone in Direct Carbon’s mission to help indoor growers transition to circular farming practices with our sustainable CO2 enrichment solutions. In South East Asia, Arianetech aims to empower local growers to adopt carbon-neutral practices and attain sustainable growth.
International Pavillions:
As an international sourcing platform for agri-food and agri-tech solutions, AFTEA displays agri-food technologies and agri-food solutions from exhibitors worldwide.
A number of notable global and federal agencies, including the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore, co-exhibited at AFTEA 2024. The Netherlands Pavilion was inaugurated by Ambassador Anneke Adema and followed by a seminar covering high-tech farming and alternative proteins. Dutch and Singaporean agri-tech companies, Light4Food, DanDutcH ApS and SG VEG, participated in a discussion on the successful application of agri-tech in Singapore and the region. As part of their food-tech solutions, Vivici and TNO presented precision-fermented milk proteins and 3D food printing, respectively.
The French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (FCCS) organized the French Pavilion, officiated by His Excellency Minh Di Tang, French Ambassador to Singapore, to showcase groundbreaking innovations in sustainable food and agri-technology by leading French companies. Among the notable innovations were those from MYCOPHYTO, POITTEMILL – FORPLEX, and Genopole.
In conjunction with the Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW), the BritCham Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia showcased cutting-edge agri-food and food technology, innovative food solutions, and global investment opportunities to forge new partnerships, discover new sales channels, and accelerate your business growth.
The Spanish Embassy’s pavilion explored the innovation and regulation landscape in foodtech for other Asia-Pacific countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam.
An overview of Exhibitors and Visitors:
AFTEA 2024 featured over 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest advances and innovations in the key exhibit themes, including pavilions from France, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands, as well as leading industry companies including DPR, Dragino, Eurofins, Grain Arianetech, JS Biosciences, Nexton, Priva, SCIEX, and Shenzhen FY Lighting. Around 100 start-ups were among the exhibitors, contributing to what is considered the largest ecosystem for agrifood and agritechnology start-ups in Southeast Asia.
A total of eight profiles were showcased by AFTEA’s exhibitors: Novel Food Technology, Smart & Urban Farming, Novel Food, Alternative Proteins & Sustainable Food, Aquaculture, Food Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resource Management, Technological Solutions, Aquaculture. Many new international groups also exhibited, including ones from Japan, South Korea, Sweden, and Taiwan. Gold Partner Nurasa returned to AFTEA this year with its network of collaborators and start-ups dedicated to advancing holistic nutrition and driving sustainable innovation.
• Agri-Tech Companies: These are businesses that develop and offer innovative agricultural technologies, products, and services.
• Food Manufacturers and Processors: Companies involved in food production, processing, and packaging.
• Agribusinesses: Entities engaged in agriculture-related activities, such as farming, distribution, and logistics. Products include seeds, fertilisers, services like crop management and supply chain solutions.
• Start-ups: They bring fresh ideas, novel technologies and solutions.
• Research Institutions and Universities: Organisations contributing to agri-food research and development.
• Farmers and Growers: Farmers, growers, or anyone involved in crop or livestock production.
• Food Industry Professionals: Including chefs, food safety experts, brand owners, retail chains, and supply chain managers.
• Food Manufacturers and Processors: Sourcing leading-edge technologies, ingredients, and equipment to enhance their own operations.
• Government Representatives: Policymakers, regulators, and officials shaping the agri-food sector.
• Investors: Those interested in funding agri-food tech startups and projects.
• Academics and Students: Interested in learning about the latest advancements in agri-food tech.
Further, Singaporean public, private, and academic institutions showcased their innovations at AFTEA 2024. A*STAR SIFBI (Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation) presented their research, an opportunity to gain insight into how our organization is driving resilience and sustainability. The SIFBI has strengthened its efforts by developing value-added ingredients tailored to Asian palates through sustainable ingredient innovation and 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 through fermentation to enhance food experiences and promote health and wellness. The multidisciplinary approach to supporting a sustainable agri-food ecosystem with food valorization initiatives – bio-converting our agrifood waste into aquafeed and tailoring future food designs to consumer needs.
The 4th edition of Agri-Food Tech Asia Expo 2025 (AFTEA) is returning with all its glory again on 4-6 November 2025, at Singapore’s Sands Expo & Convention Centre (Halls A & B).
