Numico revealed it was looking to purchase further shares as part of plans to de-list Sari Husada from the Jakarta Stock Exchange, to increase the financial benefits of operating in the country. The move reiterates the importance of the functional food sector in Asia, in terms of both consumer demand and production capabilities. China and Indonesia in particular have been found to offer dynamic markets for adult and infant nutritional products like prebiotics and milk formulas. Numico's Michiel Quarles van Ufford told AP-Foodtechnology.com that the Asian Pacific region promised substantial growth for the company's products, with Indonesia in particular acting as the key in driving regional demand. "The whole Asia Pacific region represents a growth of 20.3 per cent for the company," he said. "At this moment, Indonesia is the most important country for Numico." Over the last few years Numico has made a significant investment into functional foods in the Asian pacific region, like the purchase of East Asiatic Co's (EAC) nutrition businesses, including the Dumex brand, for €1.2 bn at the tail end of 2005. As the babyfood market leader in China, Malaysia and Thailand, EAC offered Numico a good fit with its existing operations in Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
