News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Asia Pacific AgriTech Innovation Summit
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.
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.
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.
Asia Pacific Agri-Tech Innovation Summit
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.
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FNA DEEP DIVE: 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?
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.
Thai Wah is aiming to use its tapioca-based thermoplastic starch (TPS) for its consumer food packaging to create a closed-loop solution starting with cassava cultivation and ending with eco-friendly waste that enriches the soil.
Meiji is launching a new product under its WELLCACAO range, which is made with the company’s proprietary cacao-based ingredient that claims to be less bitter and better retain nutrients such as polyphenols.
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.
Japan is seeking to alleviate the impact of global warming on its domestic food supply chain after new data showed how rising temperatures are hitting crops and increasing food loss.
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.
Indonesia’s Haldin is seeking to expand in Asia and the Middle East by uses '12 natural building blocks' for over 200 ingredients as leverage.
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.
Malaysian Palm Oil Forum (MPOF)
Malaysia’s palm oil industry representative body has argued that many aspects of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) still lack clarity, and that more transparency regarding its criteria is needed before it should be implemented.
The protein and premium snack segments are seeing annual growth rates of more than 50%, and holistic wellness remains the biggest driver of innovation, according to a market intelligence report.
Vietnamese firm Vinh Hoan aims to appeal to children and the elderly who dislike eating fish with its surimi-wrapped dumplings, which are part of its product portfolio targeting the needs of time-strapped consumers.
The palm oil and other agrifood sectors may have breathed a collective sigh of relief at the European Commission (EC) announcement that EUDR enforcement will be delayed – but experts are warning that the root problems are yet to be resolved.
Beef and dairy companies put greater focus on claiming lower emissions through regenerative ag practices over embracing the concept holistically, a new report has found.
Indonesian flavour extracts and essential oils firm Sima Arome is ramping up its plant-based offerings to tap into growing demand for functional products in Asia.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
Scaling personalised nutrition to the population level would help reduce waste, optimise health, and contribute to sustainability.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to tackle the growing concern of microplastic contamination in food via a new project with leading researchers.
Algae-based proteins are viable and sustainable alternatives to soy in relation to taste and metabolic outcomes, say researchers.
Nicaragua-based Grupo Aquamar is looking to strengthen brand awareness in Singapore and Hong Kong, while aiming to attract more consumers in Asia for its premium produce.
Vietnam-based Sokfarm believes that the rising demand for reduced sodium consumption as well as its natural coconut nectar production advantages have laid a strong foundation for the sales of its new aminos soy sauce alternative.
Singapore-headquartered firm Natural Trace aims to address the limitations of existing traceability technologies through its DNA-based ingredient, while contributing to combatting food fraud and “irresponsible market behaviour”.
CAA International Cocoa Conference 2024
Current trending solutions to the cocoa price crisis such as lab-grown or cocoa-free chocolate technologies may provide a niche alternative to the lack of cocoa bean supply, but are unlikely to replace the role of authentic cocoa in the food system,...
Singapore start-up Crunch Cutlery is seeking to tackle plastic waste with its edible cutlery made from chia, buckwheat and jowar.
Alcohol giant Pernod Ricard has launched a new digital label initiative in Singapore, hoping to tap on South East Asian consumer demands for increased information and shift towards better drinking habits.
The food system in Asia is facing a triple food safety threat in the firm of microbiological, chemical and physical contamination, all of which are being exacerbated by climate change and putting national food securities at risk.
The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has expressed cautious optimism in the country’s food self-sufficiency rates, after a couple of years of stable production and import numbers.
Singapore-based Jääde is actively strengthening its presence in the local market for its packaged Finnish spring water, while working to expand across the region in the long run.
Thai seafood giant Thai Union has highlighted its ambient product business as the main sales growth booster for the company in the first half of 2024, further supplemented by rising tuna prices and its rapidly-growing value-added product category.
Chinese coffee company Saturnbird, which entered Singapore and Malaysia earlier this year, is looking to attract young consumers with cafe-quality instant coffee that is convenient and wallet-friendly.
Coca-Cola India has launched a programme to back sustainable mango cultivation in India to increase yields and maximise sustainability, in alignment with the government’s vision of self-reliance for the country.
Sydney-based firm Vow is targeting premium consumers in Singapore through the launch of its cell-cultured meat at high-end restaurants, which it says is the first step towards wider acceptance and adoption of such products.
Food and beverage giant PepsiCo says it is continuously improving the nutrient density of products and expanding its better-for-you portfolio based on a strategy that it says is aligned with both global and local dietary guidelines.
Oat drink major Oatly expects continuing demand for plant-based milks as its current generation of consumers mature, and believes that more players entering the market will help boost category growth.
New Zealand-headquartered Allpress Espresso says that as consumers become better informed about various components of coffee, they are demanding higher quality products and an ethical supply chain.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is undergoing further pressure – this time from within its own Parliament – to postpone implementation as an ‘urgent’ matter, with concerns looming over key trade commodities such as palm oil and cocoa.
Singapore-based Aqua Gold believes that rising interest in food products that can meet the elements of nutrition, valorisation and clean label have laid out a strong foundation for the success of its new furikake brand O.NILO.
The seafood sector in Asia requires major transformations both in terms of operational technologies and perception shifts, if the industry hopes to see effective and lasting transformation.
The dairy sector in Australia has highlighted concerns of ‘yet another blow’ to the industry as a result of Fonterra’s recent strategy change that includes plans to divest its consumer brands.
An increasing number of consumers in Asia-Pacific desire an all-round experience when it comes to chocolate and confectionery, including rich flavours like caramel, visually appealing products, and “healthy indulgent” formats, says Cargill.
Plant-based industry experts APAc are divided on the future direction of the sector, with some believing that it is likely to be integrated into local culture and others still hoping for a more radical takeover.
Nestle China has launched an upcycled cascara beverage line that offers consumers a dual ‘coffee meets tea’ drinking experience, tapping on the strong local demand for teas and rapid new product innovation.
Global food corporation Cargill is leveraging its cocoa-sourcing networks in Asia and other business units to support customers in overcoming the cocoa supply shortage, and ensure consumers continue to have access to chocolate products.
Sustainability
An investor letter issued earlier this month by non-profit Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) has called out international chocolate companies to end what it described as “exploitative purchasing practices,” mainly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Abu Dhabi is implementing a ban on various “avoidable” single-use Styrofoam consumer products, which will take effect from June 1, 2024.
Singapore start-up Jiro-Meat is scaling up production of its plant-based meat made from upcycled soy pulp, with the aim of commercialisation within the next six months.