Roku Gin touts cocktail boom and premiumisation as category drivers
Suntory-owned Roku Gin says that the burgeoning popularity of cocktails and the premiumisation trend are key growth drivers of the gin category, particularly in Asia.
Industry growth
Big news 2024: FoodNavigator-Asia’s Top 10 most-read stories this year
We bring to you our top 10 most viewed stories from the APAC food and beverage sector in 2024, featuring household names like Nestle’s coffee ambitions, India’s spice industry scandal, various regulatory updates throughout the region and more.
2024 Top Trends: This year’s top 10 APAC food and beverage industry trends stories
From alternative protein developments, increased sustainability-focused initiatives, sugar reduction mandates and more, we bring you the top 10 most-read trends stories from the food and beverage industry throughout 2024.
Value-for-money is key priority for tourists of all income levels visiting ASEAN
Value-for-money propositions have emerged as the key priority and attraction factor for the majority of tourist consumers visiting the South East Asian region regardless of their income brackets, according to data from a new Oxford Economics report.
Asia Pacific AgriTech Innovation Summit
Asia can still lead protein transition - product improvement, government support needed
Asia is still set to be the region leading global protein transition away from traditional animal meat production and consumption, but much more work on existing products is still needed in order to see this realised.
This year in alt proteins: The Top 10 APAC alternative protein stories in 2024
We bring you the top 10 most-read alternative protein stories from the APAC food and beverage industry in 2024, featuring cultivated meat challenges, plant-based dairy terms, protein made ‘out of thin air’ and more.
Dairy opportunities in Asia abundant for foreseeable future – expert insights
There is a wealth of opportunities for the dairy sector in Asia to grow and innovate particularly China and South East Asia, say experts.
Regulatory review: Our 2024 Top 10 most-read APAC F&B regulation and policy stories
We reveal the top 10 most viewed regulation and policy stories from the food and beverage industry in 2024, featuring the EU Deforestation Regulation, Malaysia milk regulations, South Korea recycled PET approval and more.
Plant-based diet, mental health interventions may help improve older adult sleep
There may be a positive correlation between nutrient-rich plant-based diets and improved sleep health among older adults, according to a study by researchers in China.
APAC must overcome policy, behaviour gaps to meet nutrition goals – expert panel
The Asia Pacific region still needs to overcome major gaps in policy implementation and consumer behaviour management in order to meet ideal nutritional goals, according to an expert panel.
Palm oil and soybean oil sectors look to India as major 2025 target market
India is set to become one of the world’s largest food commodity consumption markets in 2025, particularly for edible oils such as palm oil and soybean oil.
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.
Frequent fast food linked to higher depression, anxiety risk in young adults: HK study
Frequent consumption of certain fast food items may increase the risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms in young adults, say researchers in Hong Kong.
Indonesia updates genetically modified food regulations to clarify sale requirements
The Indonesian government has updated regulations governing the production and sale of genetically modified (GM) foods.
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.
FNA TRAILBLAZERS EP 54
HaruPlate to tap gaming and cultural triggers to get young children eating healthy
Singapore-based children’s food firm HaruPlate is looking to tap on mediums of gameplaying as well as cultural influences to get kids in the APAC region to first eat at all, then eat healthier.
Asia Pacific Agri-Tech Innovation Summit
Precision fermentation sector needs to be ‘realistic’ in light of fading funds
The precision fermentation sector in Asia Pacific needs to take a more ‘realistic’ approach to operational and infrastructural management with a shift towards collaborative attitudes, in light of funding becoming increasingly scarce.
South Korea launches 19 government-backed reduced-sodium and sugar products
The South Korean government has collaborated with industry to launch 19 reduced-sodium and sugar food and beverage products as it seeks to meet national targets.
Elevate your nutrition knowledge with our biggest ever global broadcast series
Eight free webinars, over 50 experts and one unmissable opportunity to turn nutrition insights into action. It’s FoodNavigator’s global Positive Nutrition event
FNA DEEP DIVE: CULTIVATED MEAT
Luxury or complement? What does the future hold for APAC cultivated meat?
The cultivated meat and seafood sector in APAC has gone through various ups and downs in recent years – but now that the dust has settled, what does the industry truly see as the path forward?
A sharper Asian focus: Five studies to explore HMOs, postbiotics in APAC populations
Five Asia-focused projects will examine the effects of human oligosaccharides (HMOs) and postbiotics – independently or with probiotics – on immunity, metabolism, ageing, and mental health.
Indonesia WTO submission warns food firms against high sugar, salt or fat content
The Indonesian government’s latest notification to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has included a stern warning to both domestic and foreign food firms against introducing products with high sugar, salt or fat content.
Orange-fleshed sweet potato powder could improve vermicelli’s nutritional value: SE Asian study
Incorporating orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) powder into the rice flour used to make vermicelli could improve its nutritional value, say researchers in Vietnam and Thailand.
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.
ASEAN Focus: Carlsberg Malaysia, Polish fruit exports, Ajinomoto in Indonesia and more
Carlsberg Malaysia, Polish fruit exports interest, Ajinomoto on Indonesia sodium and more feature in this edition of ASEAN Focus.
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.
India’s nutra regulations: Inter-ministerial committee report receives mixed industry response
An inter-ministerial committee from India has put forth a list of recommendations on how nutraceuticals could be regulated, which has received mixed industry response, especially around disease risk reduction claims.
BE WTR pushes global expansion, launches flavour-enhancing ‘activated water’
Premium water brand BE WTR aims to “revolutionise hydration” with its filtration and flavour-enhancing technologies, as it actively sets up bottling plants across the globe on the back of new funding.
Almarai partners Google Cloud to boost operational efficiency, speed up innovation and elevate customer experience
Saudi Arabian F&B major Almarai is partnering with Google Cloud to accelerate its digital transformation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, drive innovation and growth, and elevate customer experience in an increasingly competitive market.
Japan candy company Kanro seeks to hit JPY50bn sales by 2030
The CEO of Japan’s biggest candy company, Kanro, has revealed how it hopes to drive sales to JPY50bn (US323m) by 2030.
Probiotics, botanicals dominating packaged foods
Recent research findings by Euromonitor International highlight the prominence of probiotic and botanical ingredients in packaged foods in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, which also underscores innovation opportunities for wider application and variation.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
Life stages and dosage formats fuelling sleep support innovation
Supplements for sleep support are moving beyond melatonin or GABA pills designed for the general population, as companies place greater attention on insomnia and menopause, and designing non-pill products, such as meal replacement powders.
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.
Whey-derived peptide lowers self-perceived stress levels – Six-week Kirin study
The supplementation of a whey-derived peptide has been shown to lower self-perceived levels of stress among middle-aged adults, according to a six-week study conducted by Kirin Holdings.
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.
Traditional ties: Chinese firms tapping strong cultural heritage of lotus and beans to develop unique plant-based business focus
Chinese firms are looking beyond common plant-based ingredients such as soybeans and oats to develop their own take on the alternative proteins sector, based on much deeper traditional and cultural heritage.
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.
‘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.
Singapore’s Re.juve touts customer loyalty, focus on meeting nutrient gap as key to survival amid cold press juice decline
Singaporean brand Re.juve’s ability to navigate cold pressed juices’ transition from being a trendy detox drink to a daily staple for meeting nutrient gaps, as well as support from loyal customers, have been crucial for its survival.
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.
Fruity strategy: Polish government eyes South East Asia as next major export market for apples and aronia berries
The government of Poland has set its sights on South East Asia as the next major trade and exports market for its various food products, particularly apples and aronia berries.
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.
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.
High hopes for hub: Indonesian food sector calls for a 'larger scale' food innovation centre to move sector forward
The food and beverage sector in Indonesia believes that it is high time for a larger scale food innovation centre focusing on the advancement and development of domestic companies to be established in the country.