The Seafood Industries Association Singapore (SIAS) is the official trade body representing the interests of Singapore’s seafood sector. Established to support the growth, competitiveness, and sustainability of the industry, SIAS plays a key role in unifying stakeholders from across the seafood supply chain — including importers, exporters, processors, distributors, and retailers. The association operates in close collaboration with government agencies, industry partners, and international trade bodies to promote the advancement and global connectivity of Singapore’s seafood sector.
Core Business and Offerings
SIAS focuses on advocacy, industry development, and international trade facilitation. Its key offerings and initiatives include:
- Market Development Programs: Promoting Singaporean seafood capabilities at local and overseas trade exhibitions and facilitating access to new regional and global markets.
- Industry Representation: Acting as a voice for the seafood sector in dialogues with government bodies such as the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Enterprise Singapore.
- Business Upgrading and Capability Building: Supporting members in upgrading their facilities, processes, and certifications through productivity programs and grants.
- Sustainability Advocacy: Educating members on best practices in sustainable sourcing, traceability, and compliance with food safety standards.
- Training and Manpower Development: Partnering with educational institutions to enhance workforce capabilities and attract talent to the seafood sector.
Specialization and Unique Selling Propositions (USP)
- Centralized Industry Representation: The only unified platform advocating for the seafood industry in Singapore, ensuring consolidated communication with regulators and trade partners.
- Strong Government Collaboration: Works closely with Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Food Agency, and other statutory boards to drive industry transformation.
- Export Readiness and Market Access: Provides members with resources, data, and guidance to penetrate overseas markets, especially across ASEAN, East Asia, and the Middle East.
- Focus on SME Development: Tailors its programs to the needs of small and medium enterprises in the seafood ecosystem, providing access to funding, digital tools, and global networks.
Economic Significance and Industry Presence
The seafood industry is an important component of Singapore’s agri-food economy:
- Singapore imports and re-exports over 120,000 metric tons of seafood annually, with a value exceeding SGD $1.4 billion.
- SIAS represents a significant portion of the over 300 seafood-related businesses operating in Singapore, including many Halal-certified exporters.
- Its members serve major markets such as Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, and the UAE.
The association plays a key role in supporting Singapore’s vision of being a global hub for high-quality, safe, and sustainable seafood.
Trade Facilitation and Programs
SIAS manages and supports several high-impact programs:
- Trade Show Representation: Organizes national pavilions and exhibitor support at events such as Seafood Expo Asia and China Fisheries & Seafood Expo.
- Halal Certification Guidance: Assists seafood processors in obtaining and maintaining Halal certification for export.
- Cold Chain and Logistics Improvements: Advocates for infrastructure upgrades to enhance efficiency in seafood handling and distribution.
- Digital Transformation Initiatives: Helps members adopt e-commerce, digital traceability, and smart inventory solutions.
These initiatives directly improve market access, operational efficiency, and long-term resilience of Singapore’s seafood businesses.
Target Audience
SIAS serves a broad membership base and stakeholder network, including:
- Seafood Importers and Exporters
- Cold Storage and Distribution Companies
- Seafood Processors and Traders
- Government and Regulatory Agencies
- International Buyers and Trade Partners
Its role as a liaison between business and government makes it a critical facilitator of policy alignment and commercial development.
Capabilities
- Policy and Regulatory Advisory
- Industry Research and Data Dissemination
- Membership Services and Business Matching
- Capability Development Workshops and Certifications
- Representation in National and Regional Trade Councils
These capabilities enable SIAS to elevate the operational and competitive capabilities of Singapore’s seafood ecosystem.
Certifications and Compliance Support
SIAS assists member companies in understanding and meeting local and international standards, including:
- SFA Licensing and Compliance
- Halal Certification through MUIS
- SS620 (Cold Chain Management) Compliance
- HACCP and ISO 22000 for Food Safety Management
This guidance ensures that Singapore seafood exports maintain a strong reputation for safety, quality, and integrity.
Testimonials
“SIAS has been instrumental in helping us grow our export markets. Their support with trade shows and regulatory navigation made a real difference.”
— Director, Singapore Seafood Export Company
“We rely on SIAS for industry updates and support with manpower development and technology adoption. It’s a crucial partner for SMEs like us.”
— General Manager, Seafood Processing SME
Major Achievements
- Successfully represented Singapore at over 15 international seafood exhibitions in the last 5 years
- Partnered with Enterprise Singapore to launch capability development programs for seafood SMEs
- Supported the digitization of over 40 member companies through e-commerce and ERP solutions
- Contributed to Singapore’s food security roadmap through policy consultation and industry collaboration
- Led industry-wide campaigns promoting responsible sourcing and sustainable fisheries
Seafood Industries Association Singapore continues to play a vital role in strengthening Singapore’s position as a reliable, innovative, and globally connected seafood hub.