Brands in business: Our 2024 Top 10 most-read APAC food and beverage brands news
We reveal the top 10 most viewed brands stories from the APAC food and beverage sector in 2024, featuring well-known names like Nestle, Mondelez, PepsiCo and more.
Business
Binggrae sets sights on Australia as key market for global expansion
South Korean dairy giant Binggrae seeks to increase its market share in Australia by entering major retail chains, on the back of a fruitful expansion into the US and Europe.
Banana boundaries: Superskinny Brownie Thins eyes bigger portion of Thailand’s clean label and gluten-free snack markets
Thai-based Superskinny Brownie Thins believes that its clean label flourless brownies made with only five ingredients holds the key to success in the local healthy snacking market.
Elle & Vire push AI as tool for ‘inspiration but not for use as-is’ in dairy
Dairy brand Elle & Vire has highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as an efficient tool for inspiration and time-saving, but urged that this cannot yet ‘be used as-is’ to replace human creativity or innovation.
a2 Milk taps on senior nutrition in a move to maximise China’s market potential
The a2 Milk Company is doubling down on its senior nutrition business in China as it explores different ways to maximise the market’s potential.
‘Kaizen’ in action: Indonesian nuts producer expands into jams and milk
Gunanusa Eramandiri, the Indonesian food company known for its Almonesia brand, is diversifying beyond its core nut offerings with the introduction of new products, including fruit jams and nut-based milk.
Coffee with lactoferrin: MAD Foods, TurtleTree to launch new range in mid-2025
MAD Foods, a Singapore-headquartered company specialising in plant-based ready-to-drink beverages, is partnering TurtleTree in developing a new line of functional oat milk coffee containing lactoferrin that will be launched in mid-2025.
Growth Asia Summit 2025: Early bird delegate rate extended to December 24!
The early bird delegate sale, with a 25% discount, for our Growth Asia Summit has been extended to December 24.
Asahi sales buoyed by rise in local beer demand and international Super Dry growth
Asahi Group Holdings (Asahi) has seen steady growth in the third quarter of 2024 buoyed by a rise in local Japanese demand for beer as well as international interest in its Super Dry product.
The Yoghurt Shop eyes North America for global expansion after Saudi launch
Australian premium yoghurt brand The Yoghurt Shop will soon enter North America as the next step of its global expansion, on the back of encouraging responses for its recent Middle East debut.
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Aussie firm uses coconut, pea, rice for hypoallergenic infant formula
Australia’s Coco2 has developed infant formulas using coconut milk powder, pea, and rice proteins, which it says are alternatives for babies allergic to soy and cow’s milk products.
Oterra to boost Asia production, push ‘bold innovations’
Natural colours manufacturer Oterra is boosting its production capacity in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region while continuing to create “bold innovations” based on its latest survey findings.
Asian dairy drive: Lactose-free milk innovation could be key for Nordic firms to gain foothold in region – Valio
Finnish dairy co-operative Valio believes a focus on lactose-free milk innovation with an identical taste profile to regular dairy is the way to gain more prominent recognition within the Asian dairy market.
Bowmore seeks to stand out in burgeoning travel retail market in Asia with differentiated whiskey ages, packaging design
Suntory-owned Bowmore’s new travel retail range aims to beat competition through differentiated whiskey ages and a revamped packaging design, which it says depicts its storied history and forward-looking efforts.
Local sensibilities: CJ CheilJedang seeks to accelerate expansion in Thailand through new tempeh snack
South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang has launched a range of tempeh chips pandering to local consumer preferences in Thailand, with the aim of spurring its growth in the market.
Blackmores boost: Strong sales reduce losses for Kirin’s health science business
Blackmores’ strong sales performance in Q3 FY2024 has helped parent company Kirin reduce the operating loss coming from its health science business.
Localisation and education: New venture seeks personalised solutions to address disease-related malnutrition in India
Pristine Pearl Pharma and Dutch Medical Food B.V. have formed a strategic collaboration to bring personalised medical nutrition products to India, targeting the issue of disease-related malnutrition.
‘Thirst for knowledge’, new money and greater accessibility driving rapid growth of wine market in SEA
London-based Berry Bros. & Rudd says that the increased accessibility, spending power, and “thirst for knowledge” about wine among South East Asian (SEA) consumers have contributed to the company’s growth in the region.
Trump’s tariff threat: China botanical extracts suppliers look to SEA to mitigate economic impact
There are plans among China botanical extracts suppliers to build operations in South East Asia in a bid to bypass potential tariffs hikes under the new Trump administration.
Plug and play: UMAMI Bioworks targets stability, safety, and customisation to drive cultivated seafood growth in South Korea
UMAMI Bioworks says it will tap into South Korea’s lead in novel foods in its latest collaboration with biotechnology firm KCell Biosciences and bioprocess solutions provider WSG.
Popping peas: Origin Nutrition launches high-protein popped pea chips to target Indian healthy snacking market
India-based Origin Nutrition has launched a range of high-protein, compression-popped pea-based chips in a bid to target the slow-but-sure local healthy snacking market.
‘Quality over quantity’: Pernod Ricard prioritises ultra-prestige portfolio to satisfy growing appetite for premium and niche spirits
Alcohol major Pernod Ricard is focusing on increasing awareness and availability of its prestige brands in burgeoning markets and channels, while expanding its premium craft spirits portfolio to meet growing interest for niche products.
Thai Wah expands into retail space with focus on noodles and ready-to-cook kits
Thai Wah plans to launch its instant noodles and baking premixes in the retail space, tapping its decades-long experience in supplying starch and noodles to manufacturers.
Kimchi in a can: South Korea’s Narichan launches new RTD drink to move beyond tradition and boost exports
South Korean kimchi-focused company Narichan has launched a new ready-to-drink (RTD) kimchi drink in a bid to move beyond the traditional concepts of the product and consumption boost exports.
Slash the silos: Greater food industry collaboration needed in SEA to mitigate climate and supply threats
Greater cross-border collaboration across food chains is urgently needed in South East Asia to meet the rising threats of climate change, supply risks and geopolitical uncertainity.
Eggy excellence: Eggnovo eyes Asia’s booming beauty-from-within market with low-dose, upcycled eggshell collagen
Spain-based Eggnovo has set its sights on the beauty-from within and joint health markets in Asia, believing that its collagen upcycled from eggshells can provide consumers with a versatile option that is required in much lower doses than regular collagen.
Blurring boundaries: Cargill builds on infant nutrition and flavours expertise to advance specialised nutrition business
Cargill is building on its decades-long experience in infant nutrition and know-how on flavours to grow its specialised nutrition business, a focus area for the company’s next stage of development.
Taking a ‘dip’ dive: Kraft Heinz China highlights convenience and multi-level localisation as crucial condiment market drivers
Condiments market leader Kraft Heinz has identified convenience and localisation as particularly important drivers for the market in China, particularly when it comes to format and taste innovation.
Greater consumer awareness and more players could be key for boosting postbiotics growth – Ildong Bioscience
South Korean firm Ildong Bioscience says that raising consumer awareness and the entry of more players may be crucial for pushing the growth of postbiotics in the local market.
Meiji invests USD28m to boost production capacity of Hello Panda in US, catapult overseas sales
Japanese dairy giant Meiji will invest USD28m into its US subsidiary to increase production capacity of its hero brand Hello Panda, aiming to raise overseas sales ratio to 10% or more by 2026.
Breaking barriers: The Singleton focuses on flavours, welcomes localisation to capture booming Asian markets
Diageo-owned The Singleton has identified flavours as a key focus area to further drive growth in Asia, where the complexity of Scotch whiskey and its versatility in localisation are increasingly recognised.
U-turn ahead: Nestle reunites Greater China management with rest of Asia as new CEO pledges ‘core’ growth focus
Nestle is reintegrating the Greater China region with the rest of Asia, as new CEO Laurent Freixe unveiled a significant U-turn from its 2021 geographical ‘sharpening’ strategy.
Guava goodness: Taiwan’s Han-Sient taps patented extraction tech for guava leaves to target ASEAN diabetic and weight loss markets
Taiwan-based Han-Sient believes it has struck gold with its patented technology to produce guava leaf extract for blood sugar control and fat-burning, eyeing the diabetic and weight loss markets in South East Asia as its next major expansion step.
'Pure craftsmanship': Mongolian spirits firm looks to break onto international stage with premium base and distillation process
Mongolian spirits firm Chinggis Khan has its eye firmly on the international stage with its premium vodka, believing that its premium base ingredients and specialised distillation process will give it an edge over the competition.
FNA TRAILBLAZERS EP 53
Drink your biotics: Bright colours and visual appeal crucial to deliver healthier beverages to children – Tummy Buddies
Australia’s Tummy Buddies believes that healthier product innovation for children needs to focus on bright colours and visual appeal in order to secure that crucial first purchase.
'Emerging interest': Swisse seeks to pioneer Australia’s nootropics consumption with new energy range
Swisse is seeking to pioneer Australia’s nootropics consumption with the launch of three new SKUs designed for focus, memory, and stress management.
Sustainability victory: PepsiCo eyes thermal energy collaboration with new Greenhouse Accelerator APAC champion
Global food and beverage giant PepsiCo has granted the winner of its 2024 GreenHouse Accelerator APAC programme Alterno US$100,000 to develop its thermal energy solution, with an eye on further collaboration with the firm in this area.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
Powder power: South Korean women’s wellness and beauty specialist NGT eyes Asian expansion with Active Enzyme sticks
South Korea’s Natural Good Things (NGT) is eyeing an expansion across Asia with its Active Enzyme sticks after successfully making a name for itself in the domestic women’s beauty and wellness market.
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024 winner Kaneka breaks down the importance of ubiquinol in the healthy ageing process
Winner of the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024 prize for Healthy Ageing Kaneka Corporation believes that it is crucial to raise the awareness of ubiquinol amongst Asian consumers to promote effective healthy ageing.
Seafood firm Yeam Seng steps up expansion of ready-to-cook portfolio targeting busy consumers and exports
Malaysia-based seafood company Yeam Seng Frozen Goods & Fishery is channelling more resources into expanding its ready-to-cook portfolio to capture busy consumers and facilitate entry into overseas markets.
Beyond cosmetics: K-beauty brand Clio debuts beauty-from-within supplements in Japan
South Korean firm Clio has debuted its ingestible beauty brand, TRUE RX, in drugstores across Japan, underlining its expansion endeavours in this market beyond the cosmetics sector.
Enhancing enjoyment: Hanamaruki looks to tap sodium reduction and affordability demands in ASEAN with new koji powder
Japan-based Hanamaruki believes that its newly launched flavour-enhancing koji powder is in a prime position to cater to product innovation in South East Asia that fulfils both sodium reduction and affordability requirements.
Sticks and snacks: Swees launches 'world-first' vegan rice-based cheese sticks to further reach within snacking sector
Plant-based cheese brand Swees has launched what it claims to be the world’s first vegan rice-based cheese stick product with support from the Thai government, believing this will help it to gain a stronger standing in the snacking category.
Brand New: Kraft Heinz, CJ Cheiljedang, Carlsberg Malaysia and more big brands feature in our round-up
Kraft Heinz, CJ Cheiljedang, Carlsberg Malaysia and more big brands feature in this edition of Brand New.
South Korean convenience chain GS25 building on Netflix collaboration to pursue new cross-industry partnerships
South Korean convenience store chain GS25 is looking to build on the “successful cross-industry partnership model” that it claims to have established after achieving strong sales of food products launched in collaboration with Netflix.
Singapore’s JiaTaste sets sights on western markets to further promote local prawn noodle flavour
Singaporean brand JiaTaste is looking to export its ready-to-cook prawn noodle paste to more markets, particularly in the west, where it sees opportunities among consumers who enjoy Asian flavours.
Cell Biotech’s DUOLAC to capitalise on entry into Taiwan’s Costco for further expansion in Chinese-speaking markets
Cell Biotech-owned supplement brand DUOLAC expects its recent entry into Taiwan’s major supermarket chain to accelerate expansion in the greater China region, amid strong efforts to promote Korean probiotics globally.
First-world 'game-changer'? Kraft Heinz seeks to resolve gamers’ pain point with hands-free snack dipper
Kraft Heinz recently introduced a hands-free “snack dipper” device, which the food major says would solve the so-called problem of not being able to eat while gaming.
Start-up Spotlight: Vietnam's Sokfarm, South Korea's SUUL SUUP, Singapore's Hey! Chips and more feature in our round-up
Vietnam's Sokfarm, South Korea's SUUL SUUP, Singapore's Hey! Chips and more feature in this edition of Start-up Spotlight.