The new site located in Jakarta will house three application labs.
Geoff Allen, managing director of Synergy Flavours (Thailand), told FoodNavigator-Asia: “Dairy has been cited as one of the three fastest growing food areas and is predicted to represent 10.4% of total food spending in 2022.
“Exports of cheese from Europe to Indonesia increased by 36.4% from 2017 to 2018. Every year, Indonesia also adds some 7,000 tonnes of cheese to its total import.”
Allen said the Jakarta site would focus on development of cheese, butter and milk flavours, to meet the growing consumer taste preference across the region.
“The site will house three application labs for sweet goods (bakery, confectionery) and savoury goods (snacks, instant noodles).”
“We see Indonesia as a key strategic market for us in Asia and will continue to invest in line with our long-term plan and market demand for our products.”
Presence in Asia
There will be no manufacturing for now in Indonesia, with the firm continuing to operate from its regional base in Thailand.
In February, Synergy doubled its Thailand operations, adding 2500m2 of space and five new sensory labs at the Samutprakarn plant.
Aside from the new site in Thailand, it also has partners in Malaysia, The Philippines, Taiwan, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan.
Allen said: “Longer term, with continued investment from Carbery Group, it is Synergy’s intention to bring a manufacturing facility to Indonesia, as the business grows”
Last year, Carbery Group reached revenues of €423.5 million, a 1.5% increase from the year before.
In its 2018 financial report, Carbery said it was committed to investing €100 million in the business over the next two years, as it seeks to diversify and grow its business internationally.
Jason Hawkins, CEO of Carbery Group added: “Indonesia is a very exciting market to be part of. It has an exceptional growth rate and its culture, along with the taste preferences of its consumers is constantly evolving.”