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.
Industry growth
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.
FNA DEEP DIVE: FOOD SAFETY & TRACEABILITY
Digital defence: Why APAC food firms are prioritising tech investments for food safety and traceability
Investments into food safety and traceability tech are becoming major priorities for many food and beverage firms across the Asia Pacific region, with regional experts telling us this is inn response to rapidly-evolving local needs.
Safe food, safe kids: South Korea eyes legislation-led improvements in rural Children’s Diet Safety Index
South Korea is looking to improve the Children’s Diet Safety Index in its rural areas, after seeing poorer results compared to urban cities and the national average.
Garbage in, garbage out: Artificial intelligence could become ‘crucial’ nutraceutical industry tool if 'care is taken'
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the nutraceuticals industry could become a ‘crucial’ component of innovation and regulatory compliance processes, but care must be taken regarding the information that is fed into the technology.
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.
Fastest wins: Tate & Lyle on why innovation speed and digitalisation is key for success in Asia
Tate & Lyle has highlighted that speedy innovation and operational digitalisation are more important to the food and beverage sector in Asia than anywhere else in the world, amidst the unveiling of its new globally-connected research laboratory.
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.
Saudi Arabia’s Vlinder Chocolate enters South Korea amid relentless ‘Dubai chocolate’ craze
Saudi Arabia’s Vlinder Chocolate recently debuted its “Dubai chocolate-style” products in South Korea, on the back of the viral food trend that has taken the market by storm over the past year.
Hot in here: McCormick expounds on importance of spicy flavours and salt reduction across savoury food categories in Asia
Flavours specialist McCormick has highlighted the importance of innovating with spicy flavours in tandem with sodium reduction across savoury food categories in the Asian market.
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.
Cauldron Ferm’s new precision fermentation facility in Queensland set to reduce production cost, raise capacity
Australia-based Cauldron Ferm has received funding from the Queensland Government to develop a first-of-its-kind precision fermentation facility in Mackay, which is expected to reduce costs and raise production capacity significantly.
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.
Healthier horizons: Sugar reduction and allergen aversion amongst major APAC demands in functional beverage sector
The Asia Pacific functional beverage industry is increasingly seeing consumer demands for sugar reduction, label transparency and allergen aversion becoming commonplace.
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.
Risk minimisation: South Korean ministries urge national information-sharing collaboration to combat illegal food trade
South Korean ministries have signed a formal data-sharing agreement with local organisations in order to formulate more timely responses to illegal food and beverage trade at its borders, in response to a reported rise in such cases.
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.
Water-soluble tomato concentrate’s efficacy in reducing blood pressure shows promise for novel CVD-preventive approaches – BYHEALTH-funded study
A recent study has found water-soluble tomato concentrate (WSTC) to have a significant impact on blood pressure regulation, which could contribute to the development of novel dietary approaches for protecting heart health.
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.
Not so straightforward: Singapore food industry voices concerns over cost, efficacy of extending Nutri-Grade system to sodium and fats
The Singapore food industry has voiced several concerns over government plans to extend the Nutri-Grade traffic light nutritional labelling system to sodium and fats.
New Zealand to get ‘new bill’ to regulate natural products, while industry body voices ‘grave concerns’ over exports policy
The New Zealand government will introduce a new bill specifically to regulate natural products in the country, but no decisions have been taken on the scope or approach to be adopted, officials have announced.
'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.
Saudi coffee trends: Local products faring well, caffeine intake levels within recommended limit despite rising popularity
A study on coffee consumption patterns in Saudi Arabia has found that Saudi coffee is more widely consumed than Turkish coffee among the local population, and that caffeine intake levels remain within the daily recommended limit despite the category’s boom.
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.
Sweet move? China may allow chocolates, candies, jellies, beverages for health foods filing
China may allow health foods in the form of chocolates, candies, jellies, and beverages to go through the official health foods filing process.
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.