The UAE is conducting several research projects to try and boost food security and reduce reliance on imports – including trying to grow to test crop varieties that are suitable for the country’s harsh weather and environmental conditions.
UAE-based ride-hailing and food delivery company Careem, which recently launched its grocery delivery service (Careem Shops) has revealed about 40% of its 33 million users are now on the new service.
Singapore food technology firm Alchemy Foodtech has its eye on China as a potential major market opportunity after the successful local launch of its GI-lowering Alchemy Fibre, with a variety of other GI-lowering products to follow.
Indian trade association Federation of All India Vyapar Mandal (FAIVM) has called upon the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to completely waive license renewals for food businesses due to COVID-19, instead of just extending the renewal...
Food and beverage firms will not need to fork out any extra cash to integrate into Australia’s new National Food Traceability Programme, whether they currently use GS1 standards within their supply chains – which covers many major MNCs – or not.
The Indonesian government is urging its local food and beverage industry to embrace digital advancement and shift towards the use of local raw ingredients for manufacturing as part of the national Making Industry 4.0 industrial strategy.
India’s food counterfeit incidents have risen at an ‘alarming rate’ between 2018 and 2019, numbers which will have significantly negative impacts on the country’s ‘Make in India’ campaign if more stringent measures are not taken to control these.
The United Kingdom’s intention to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) would greatly benefit food trade for APAC countries – but many hurdles lie ahead, according to expert analysis.
Australian blockchain firm Two Hands has developed a platform removing all middle men along the supply chain between food producers and end-users, which it believes can also be applied to smoothen meat and seafood exports to China by ‘pre-authenticating’...
Supplementation of red chillies actives, capsaicinoids, is able to control appetite and weight, leading to decrease of 2.1% in body weight and 2.2% in BMI, according to a four-week RCT.
A meta-analysis involving more than 2 million people has reported that a higher whole grain intake is associated with a reduced risk of digestive tract cancer.
Lebanese distributor Ibrahim Jabra & Sons SAL has revealed sales have dropped 40% as a result of the looming economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beirut port explosion.
Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group’s substantial investment in technological innovations and upgrades to its food production facilities under food arm CP Foods were what ensured its continued smooth operations through the COVID-19 pandemic, CP Group’s US Business...
Palm oil trade between Malaysia and India has moved back on track with the latter running low on local stock and the former relaxing export tariffs as both countries move to repair a trade relationship wrecked by previous political clashing.
Fortified, plant-based, and better-for-you packaged foods will continue to soar in APAC post-pandemic, with preventive health, wellness and nutrition now firmly ingrained in the conscience of consumers, an expert panel claims.
Circa Biotech, a start-up from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed a sustainable method of upcycling food waste using black soldier flies (BSF), into animal feed and fertilizer – and is now working with a supermarket retailer.
UAE-based start-up Palm Co has developed a method of turning fibre derived from palm trees into a sustainable and alternative food packaging material for farmers and retailers.
Digital supply chain transformation is crucial for food firms in the Asia Pacific region to ensure resiliency, sustainability and continued consumer demand for their products post-COVID-19.
The government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) has built of a new food safety and quality control centre with a Chinese partner, in the hope of providing a boost for the country’s economy and potentially graduating from its current ‘Less-Developed...
Plant-based cheese firm Grounded has revealed hemp as its main secret ingredient in formulating products ahead of an October launch in the United States, as well as plans to establish an independent supply chain in Australia further down the road.
The European Union’s (EU) new Farm-to-Fork (F2F) Strategy may have been coined in the name of sustainability for its local food chain, but if implemented could have massive cost implications for palm oil exports and major export countries such as Malaysia.
General Mills is collaborating with Musim Mas Group to launch a programme designed to integrate independent smallholders from villages neighbouring the Leuser Ecosystem in Aceh Singkil into the sustainable palm oil supply chain to reduce deforestation...
Alternative protein firm TerViva is establishing the world’s first organic and Fair for Life pongamia bean supply chain in India as it strives to tap into consumer demands for plant-based and sustainable products.
China has emerged as a saviour for the durian industries in Thailand and Malaysia throughout the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, with solid demand and import growth continuing even throughout lockdowns despite earlier pessimistic predictions.
The Australian government has released a range of sodium reformulation targets to be implemented on a voluntary basis by the local F&B industry over the next four years, but public health researchers believe that this should be made mandatory.
New Zealand-based plant-based meat firm Sunfed Meats’ recent launch of its Boar-Free Bacon in supermarkets nationwide has seen strong success due to its taste, texture and a rising demand for healthy and clean foods by consumers, according to the firm’s...
The Philippines’ banana industry is lobbying for the government to take action to protect its global export markets against competition from ‘pirated’ bananas and tariff disadvantages before more ground is lost.
The Covid-19 pandemic in March and Ramadan in April and May led to distinct shifts in the food and beverage consumption patterns in Saudi Arabia, new data reveals.
The potato industry in Australia is now in a state of ‘high alert’ for any potential French fries dumping activity from the EU, highlighting its chief concerns as price plummeting and farmer welfare after a tough season.
Food and beverage firms in Australia would do well to maintain product pricing, focus on advertising and research, as well as wisely streamline their product ranges in order to come out on top post-COVID-19, according to recommendations from an industry...
Sugar taxation has remained the most effective for of food taxation when it comes to reducing diet-related diseases as compared to taxes on salt, saturated fat and junk food, according to a recent New Zealand study.
China’s alternative meat market has grown from its traditional imitation products to a more modern, realistic and meat-tasting profile powered by innovation – and now some of the industry’s biggest names are ploughing in resources to fuel the next wave...
Brands and suppliers need to innovate with speed and agility to meet the meet changing demands from APAC’s consumers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, an expert panel featuring a raft of top firms has concluded.
New Zealand nut butter specialist firm Fix & Fogg has opted to establish a local production facility in the United States so as to overcome quota challenges and facilitate further expansion in the country.
Researchers in Australia have called for more stringent food allergen labelling regulations after recent data revealed that the lack of warning labels poses a bigger risk for consumers than cross-contamination during food processing.
The Philippines’ controversial new tax reform bill aims to help smaller local food and beverage pay lower taxes and stop larger firms from exploring existing system loopholes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak…but experts are warning implementation...
Start-ups with a focus on technology related to F&B supply chains and alternative protein product development are in the strongest positions to attract investments in the post-COVID-19 era all across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
Asian countries that have implemented food export restrictions to protect local supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic will harm their commodity prices and damage their trade reputations, according to an expert from the Food and Agricultural Organisation...
Vietnam and India are competing for ASEAN rice trade post-COVID-19, with the former having gained advantage due to support from traditional partner Philippines, and the latter having come out ahead with Malaysia in terms of price.
Asia’s biggest food and beverage brands have successfully retained their top FMCG rankings and outpaced overall category growth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with major players topping new lists from China to South East Asia.
Australian food and beverage firms need to improve their social media engagement to maximise reach to consumers in all of the country’s key export markets, especially given the rise of e-commerce post-COVID-19.
India’s newest food tax saga stemming from Southern flatbreads being taxed higher than Northern ones has placed renewed focus on the country’s controversial GST system, provoking claims of ‘cultural racism’ from campaigners.
India’s Epigamia – which is backed by Danone among others - has launched the country’s first branded plant-based yoghurt made with coconut milk as it seeks to transform the Indian dairy industry.