Beer drinkers in Asia are steadily following the European trend of increasingly seeking low-carbohydrate products, opening new opportunities for brands in the premium drinks segment.
Vietnam is hopeful of seeing long-term improvement in its position within the global rice supply chain with the support of a new government digital project.
New Zealand infant nutrition firm Haven is expanding into the plant-based space with the launch of an oat-milk based drink for toddlers aged one and above.
Nestle has launched a new milk powder containing mulberry leaf extract, tryptophan, vitamin B, and minerals in China to support sleep quality in adults.
Carlsberg Malaysia is optimistic about its chances to conquer the country’s premium Japanese beer market this year with new partner brand Sapporo, with the latter formally replacing Asahi as the firm’s major premium Japanese offering since January 2024.
Global cheese giant Bel Group believes that innovation in APAC requires hyper-localised strategies to see success, due to a wide variation in consumption habits across the region.
India-based banana chips brand Beyond Snack has observed significant evolution of the branded snacks category in the local market, marked by a “discernible shift” towards health-consciousness, authenticity, and premiumisation.
Developing markets in Asia and Africa risk being sidelined in the efforts to create a more sustainable food system, unless inclusion and affordability are placed front and centre to improve nutrition.
South Korea is expanding its AI-based screening system SAFE-i24 to include processed food imports, in a bid to maintain food safety and quality while maximising efficiency particularly during peak seasons.
Significant doubts remain as to whether the EU’s new deforestation workstream model will be sufficient to allay fears raised by palm oil producing nations, especially in relation to sustainability and smallholder farmers.
A meta-analysis conducted by China researchers found that probiotic supplementation could improve body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, and reduce inflammation among obese and overweight teenagers.
Singapore-based firm Prefer believes that its bean-free coffee alternative is ready for entry into the wider Asian market this year, banking on affordability, sustainability and customisation benefits to drive growth
Bayer’s nutritional business declined for the past year due to a weaker market environment in China and South East Asia, the company said in its FY23 financial results.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) believes that a recent Philippines acquisition and portfolio realignment in Indonesia stand it in good stead to capitalise on future growth in Asia Pacific.
Mainstream food and beverage firms flouting Taiwan advertising rules and regulations will now be subject to harsher punishments, with repeat offenders warned their businesses could be closed down.
Singaporean surimi brand Dodo is looking to expand and diversify beyond its successful frozen foods business with the launch of its first surimi snacks range, which it believes has long-term mainstream potential.
Singapore-based beverage heavyweight Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) has predicted a challenging year ahead after reporting a near doubling in profits but a significant overall drop in revenue, citing ongoing inflation and soft consumer spending as key factors.
Haleon says that its vitamins minerals supplements (VMS) portfolio has gained shares in an overall declining market in FY23, led by growth in its core VMS brands Centrum, Caltrate, and Emergen-C, with the CEO saying that the firm is “optimistic” on the...
Australia’s plant-based pioneer v2food is aiming to strengthen its position in the category through the acquisition of ready meals brand Soulara, with portfolio expansion and broadening sales channels as growth drivers.
Nestle Malaysia believes that the strength of its core brands such as KitKat and Maggi, as well as the advantages of its large local production operations, will serve it well in overcoming current ‘subdued’ consumer sentiment in the country.
Dietary supplements sales on the re-opened TikTok shop in Indonesia are struggling to get back to previous heights, despite other categories such as FMCG and beauty products soaring.
Indian dairy brand Epigamia believes that its new single-serve, ready-to-eat (RTE) desserts range will tap on rising local consumer demand for choice and individual preferences when it comes to sweet treats.
Increasing demand for heathier products coupled with manufacturing advances is giving pre-packaged avocado firm Freshcourt optimism to expand across Asia and the Middle East.
Thai beverage firm Dutch Mill is renewing its focus on its Arabus coffee range, having launched a wide variety of ready-to-drink products aimed to provide convenient yet affordable coffee options for consumers in the region.
Dubai-based Wise Monkey Rum is actively expanding into new markets across the globe through both retail and on-trade channels, as it seeks to fill the gap in the mid-range rum category.
Dubai-based frozen desserts brand House of Pops has identified three key drivers to propel its next stage of growth, namely expansion of product line-up, increasing market presence, and offering of private label services.
Middle Eastern snacks firm Hunter Foods has expanded its product range and repackaged its best-sellers amid booming consumer demand, in a bid to stay ahead of rising competition in the category.
Japanese beer giant Asahi believes that beverage packaging needs to move beyond being eye-catching and incorporate elements of ‘relatability’ and digitalisation truly make a mark with Asian consumers.
The APAC tea sector need to focus on functionality and format innovation and not just increasing blend varieties if it is to enjoy sustained growth, according to Sri Lanka and Europe-based tea specialist English Tea Shop.
The a2 milk Company says its infant formula sales in China had increased by 1.5 per cent in the first half of FY2024, although the market had shrunk almost 14 per cent in sales.
The government of Vietnam has its eye on increasing food trade across various product categories with China, citing huge population demand for meat as well as ongoing successful fruit and vegetable trade relationships as notable drivers.
Convenience chain 7-Eleven Singapore has included local dietary supplement brand Ocean Health’s products, including gummies and fast melt powder, into its offerings.
The insect protein sector in Asia Pacific still has ‘much to learn’ from its plant-based counterpart when it comes to the development of regulations and policies palatable to both governments and consumers in the region.
Japanese beer giant Asahi is hopeful that its recently-completed large-scale group restructuring strategy to establish individual regional headquarters will maximise its competitive advantages across its four major markets.
Kirin has reported strong revenue growth for its non-alcoholic beverage business, driven by demand for health functional drinks and especially those in small-volume PET bottles, the company said in its FY2023 financial results.
Singapore start-up Craft Truffles is aiming to branch out beyond its domestic market by expanding its product portfolio and participating in trade shows to connect with overseas distributors.
Industry experts from the United States say Singapore is the top market for premium cheese in South East Asia, bucking the regional trend for processed products.
China-based Evergreen Food has developed a huge portfolio of convenience-focused ready-to-use seafood products in a bid to expedite exports of local seafood dishes that would usually be too complicated to prepare without expertise.
Japanese beverage major Kirin has started exporting its craft gin Yatsushiro Distillery YATSU BOSHI to Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea in a bid to gain a bigger share of the spirits market in Asia.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has highlighted that cultivated meat still needs to meet a ‘more rigorous’ set of requirements to be halal-certified, even though it has been deemed potentially permissible for halal consumption.
Hindustan Unilever India (HUL) has highlighted a continued focus on its premium strategy in order to sustain continued growth in the country, citing products such as Horlicks Plus as a major example.
Thailand’s Tawandang Distillery believes that the use of scorched jasmine rice in its liquor products, and what it claims to be the ‘most-advanced’ distillery in the region will give it a competitive edge.
Food industry experts in Thailand remain optimistic over the potential of plant-based meat in the country despite slower-than-expected uptake, citing hybrid innovation as one of the growth opportunities.
Ingredients firm Kalsec Inc. shortens its supply chain and diversifies raw materials sourcing via its new Finishing and Distribution Centre in Singapore.
Thailand’s JD Food believes that coconut clusters are the snacking industry’s answer to demands for a perfect combination of healthy and affordability, having launched a dedicated brand to cater to consumer demand.
Google searches for nutritional supplements, especially vitamin C and D, in relation to COVID-19 have been found to surge alongside community outbreaks and during the winter season.
The cage-free egg sector in China has rapidly gained in popularity over the past year due to major support from both government and industry players as well as rising consumer demand.
Mumbai-headquartered ProV Foods is doubling down on healthy on-the-go snacks and flavour innovations, amid rising demand for snacks with functional benefits in the country.