U.S. Food Export to Singapore

Chihade International supplies American food products to SFA-registered importers and foodservice distributors in Singapore, shipped from our SQF-certified facility in Georgia. We are looking for a distributor partner in Singapore.

Why Singapore

Singapore imports more than 90% of its food, from 187 countries and regions, with total agricultural imports of $18.2 billion in 2024 — of which $11 billion was consumer-oriented food. The U.S. holds around 6% of that.

The hotel, restaurant and institutional sector is roughly $10 billion, supported by 16.5 million visitors in 2024. Singapore also functions as a regional re-export hub and a launch pad for new food and beverage concepts, so the reach of a Singapore partnership regularly extends past the domestic market of six million.

What We Do From the U.S.

We are a U.S. exporter. We do not operate warehouses or distribution in Singapore — that is what our distributor partners do. Our job is everything on the American side of the shipment:

• Sourcing from more than 300 U.S. manufacturers, to your specification
• Consolidating mixed loads into full containers, so you are not forced into single-supplier minimums
• Dry, chilled and frozen storage in our 64,000 sq. ft. SQF-certified facility in Lawrenceville, Georgia
• English labelling, stickering and ink-jet date coding applied before goods leave the U.S.
• Export documentation — USDA and health certificates, halal certification where required, certificates of origin
• Ocean and air freight on contracted U.S. lanes, with expedited air for urgent replenishment

Import Requirements We Prepare For

This is the cleanest regulatory regime in the region. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is the sole competent authority for all food safety and import regulation, including meat and seafood, with consignment permits issued through Singapore Customs’ TradeNet system.

Importers need a licence for meat, fish, fresh produce and shell eggs, or a registration for processed food, plus a per-consignment import permit.

Meat and seafood must come from SFA-accredited overseas establishments, and only SFA-registered local importers can apply for permits. A U.S. exporter cannot self-clear, which is why the local partner is essential rather than merely convenient.

Labelling is in English, and from 30 January 2026 must also carry a lot identification number and directions for use or handling.

PSA Singapore is the port; Changi handles air cargo.

What We Look For in a Distributor Partner

We are deliberately selective, because these relationships tend to last decades rather than seasons. We are typically looking for:

• An established importer of record, with the licences and clearance experience the market requires
• Real coverage of at least one channel — modern retail, wholesale, foodservice distribution, or franchise supply
• Temperature-controlled storage and distribution appropriate to the categories you want to carry
• A sales team that can place and support a new brand rather than simply warehousing it
• An interest in a long-term programme, including exclusive lines where it makes sense for both sides

If that is a reasonable description of your business, we would like to talk.

See all markets we serve →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get exclusive rights to a brand in our market?

In many cases, yes. Chihade International is the exclusive distributor of Country Sun, our own brand of American cheeses, mayonnaise, frying oils, cheese sauce and breakfast meats. Where it makes commercial sense on both sides, we grant exclusive Country Sun distribution rights by territory — a line your competitors cannot stock. See the range at countrysunfoods.com.

Do you have a warehouse or office in Singapore?

No. Chihade International is a U.S. exporter based in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and we ship from there. We do not hold stock inside Singapore. Local importing, clearance, storage and distribution are handled by our distributor partners — which is precisely the role we are looking to fill.

Do we have to order a full container of a single product?

No. Consolidation is one of the main reasons distributors work with us. We combine products from multiple U.S. manufacturers into one container, so you can carry a broad range without committing to full-truckload minimums from each supplier.

Are your U.S. suppliers SFA-accredited?

Meat and seafood must originate from establishments SFA has accredited. We confirm accreditation status per supplier and per product before quoting, rather than discovering a gap at the permit stage.

How We Work With Partners in Singapore

Whichever channel you operate in, the U.S. side of the shipment is the same: sourcing, consolidation, preparation and documentation from our SQF-certified facility in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

• Franchise export — supplying U.S. franchise brands at their locations in Singapore.
• Distributor partnerships — for importers and foodservice distributors carrying American lines.
• Retail and supermarket consolidation — an American grocery range without single-supplier minimums.
• Export warehousing and 3PL — dry, chilled and frozen under one roof in Georgia.
• All export services — the full picture of what we handle before a container sails.
• Beef and protein export — U.S. beef, poultry and seafood, including halal programmes, with plant eligibility confirmed for each market.

Useful reading: Export documentation, in plain English  ·  Container consolidation for food importers  ·  How to become a distributor partner  · How franchise export works ·  all export guides

Become Our Distributor Partner in Singapore

Tell us about your market coverage and the products you are looking for, and we will be in touch about a distribution program.