The aim of this research is to examine barriers of food process based small and medium scale manufacturing firms’ growth in Malaysia. We argue that along the process, the SMEs might encounter issues with internal and external environments, institutional, availability of both tangible and intangible resources, organizational and managerial and others that most likely will affect the growth of the firms. From the analysis it was found that there are various factors that could prevent the food processed based SMIs to grow. The findings will contribute to the growth and development of the SMEs in particular in the food processing industry. The paper finalizes with some conclusions for policy makers, industry and other actors, and also future research.