A delegation made up of 12 of the country's leading companies in the food and agriculture industry is currently visiting Malaysia and Singapore.

Led by Dan Jørgensen, the food and agriculture minister, the week-long tour is a step towards increasing the export of Danish food products, which currently account for 24 percent of the country's total, and strengthening Denmark's position in Asian markets.

Besides company visits to United Plantations, Palsgaard Malaysia and Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia, the program also includes a Malaysian-Danish Trade & Investment Seminar as well as the opening of a Danish pavilion at the FHA (Food and Hotel Asia) food fair, which boasts 64,000 participants from 95 different countries.

Asia a key market
The Southeast Asian market is rapidly expanding, and Jørgensen quoted a forecast showing that more than half of the world's middle classes will be living in Asia by 2030.

As the middle classes grow, so does the demand for high-quality production and strong safety standards – qualities that the Danish industry is known for.

“This can become Denmark’s next export venture, and thus an opportunity to create many new Danish jobs," explained Jorgensen in a press release.

Today, Denmark exports food to more than 150 countries.